Each and every day, we are confronted through the media with waves of cultural differences. There is constant talk of "Cancel Culture." But what exactly does that mean? Let's start by looking at some definitions.
Culture -
a: the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group
d: the integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends upon the capacity for learning and transmitting knowledge to succeeding generations - Mirriam Webster
the quality in a person or society that arises from a concern for what is regarded as excellent in arts, letters, manners, scholarly pursuits, etc. - Dictionary.com
And to round out the meaning of culture, check out this 2014 article from The New Yorker on the topic.
The "Cancel Culture" is nowhere mentioned in any of these definitions or the article. Still, I think we all understand it to mean the elimination of existing cultural values, whatever form they may take. i.e., the tearing down of statues, rewriting history as in the 1619 Project, etc.
However, in my mind, there are cultures not spoken of that permeate our society today. The first is a culture adopted by many/most Democrats. While it has been around for some time, it was given significance during the Obama Administration. I call it the "Appeasement Culture." Obama always spoke of how the United States/we are no better than anyone else/other countries. He would bow his head/cower when meeting dignitaries of other countries. His belief was if we do not ruffle the feathers of other birds, we can avoid conflict.
This appeasement or conciliatory attitude began in the 80s-90s, when parents stopped teachers and schools from disciplining students, claiming they were to harsh or it was the parent's responsibility. At about this same time, parents began to put forth the notion that it was also harsh for kids to lose in sports activities. Instead, they wanted a "there should be no losers competition." Kids' feelings were being hurt when they lost. Heaven forbid our children to have to deal with negative emotions or learn there are winners and losers in life.
So what do we have today? We have spineless politicians unwilling to stand up to violent protestors, looters, and rioters. Who claim the protests are peaceful when they are not. Who release those criminally arrested back into society with no consequence for their actions. All because they do not want to hurt the feelings of there would-be constituents.
Which brings me to another culture. The "Culture of Anarchy." These are generally the liberal progressives. They may or may not identify as Democrats. They follow the "Rules for Radicals" of Saul Alinsky, as did Obama. Theirs is a belief the only way to achieve change is through chaos and disruption. Hand in hand with the appeasers, they are tearing our country apart. The appeasers are too cowardly to call them what they are, criminals.
Lastly, there is the "Culture of Lies and Denial." This is a culture adopted by the majority of the media outlets and their reporters, who are not reporters at all, but opinionologists. They do not report on events with facts but instead must put forward and push their opinion on the public. Even when they have to fabricate the events, lie, to make their story plausible. They deny events happened in a particular manner when it does not fit their own narrative. They cherry-pick bits and pieces that make it seem their particular point of view is only logical. They deny it could have been otherwise. And they lie to make their story more convincing.
Culture is something to be valued. It connects us to the past. It provides a social structure from which we can all benefit by providing a common understanding—canceling/denying culture benefits no one. It will only open the door to more chaos and misunderstanding.
