Haha, I love to cancel culture, mainly because it does such amazing things to knock down all of the ignorant Republicans and bigots of this country. #EatTheRich. I, in no way, idolize any politician in a way where I would discount their accountability for their actions just because I like them. People need to be held responsible for their actions and I firmly stand by that belief and am happy that Cancel Culture has made light of such movements, thus far.

I think it's easy for some to get triggered by the term "cancel culture" and have a negative reaction or pre-conceived notions, but I think this book and the author do a great job of outlining "cancelling" as a means of democratic expression and a tool for protest to bring about positive change. Ernest Owens was a great narrator, and I really appreciated his point of view on the topic. Absolutely worth a listen!

his book is a well-written exploration of how cancel culture came to be a tool for the people to hold the powerful accountable for their actions. It's possible this book could be considered preaching to the choir. Personally, I enjoy reading books like this, because I know what I think, but cannot always organize my thoughts into anything I am confident about. Books like this help me think about my stances with new evidence and examples, and put them into the words I wish I had.

This book features a methodically analysis of Cancel Culture. The author gives a history of cancel culture & how it was originally used. In my view, Owens covered the topic Cancel Culture in a neutral manner. He covered how both the left & the right have weaponized Cancel Culture over the years. This book is worth a read & you might learn a little bit along the way.

This book’s message resonates with me as my life has improved immensely the more I “cancel” my subscriptions to other people’s issues. But that’s just my personal life. I think canceling a public figure like Trump or actor Kevin Spacey by corporations or companies is a recognition of behavior that is toxic. And bravo for that move! I don’t feel bad for these “cancelees”….being publicly shunned is demotivating to bad behavior.

Can we stop bad behavior by being on board with cancel culture?
The book makes an argument for this justice, but not for the trend to cancel someone out of meanness or jealousy. It’s a thoughtful study of cancel culture that, if done right, gives us all the opportunity to speak truth to power.

"Cancel culture is more than just a tool for accountability. It is a deliberate form of free speech that works to liberate us all."

The unfortunate thing about this book is that the people who need to hear this message the most would rather have their eyes poked out than read it. Ah well! It is affirming for the rest of us. This book is a well-written exploration of how cancel culture came to be a tool for the people to hold the powerful accountable for their actions. It's possible this book could be considered preaching to the choir. Personally, I enjoy reading books like this, because I know what I think, but cannot always organize my thoughts into anything I am confident about. Books like this help me think about my stances with new evidence and examples, and put them into the words I wish I had. Unlike news stations and boomers on Facebook, Owens doesn't brush off cancel culture as the laughable scourge of millenials. With the utmost respect, he examines the voices of the people, and this new way in which they are being heard. If the quote at the beginning of this review doesn't make your little heart boil over with rage, you'll probably enjoy this one!

Owens descriptions and explanations help to define the concept of cancel culture. I was immediately reminded of the John Lewis quotation, "Speak up, speak out, get in the way. Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America.” This embodies cancel culture to me. Protest for good. Understand you have the right as an American citizen to stand up for what is right and call out those who feel they are in control because of their money/ power.

The narrator, the author, was good, but I think someone else might have done a better job. They seemed to feel uncomfortable reading their own work. There did not seem to be a flow, even though these were their words.

This probably didn't need to be a full book. I *get* what the author was trying to do, but it seemed weird to me to insist the world needs cancel culture (rather than just general accountability, which to me, the two aren't the same). BUT, I agree that the people scared of cancel culture (aka privileged) probably deserve to be.