Cancel Culture
Questioner: In light of our topic, one thing that really comes to mind is the concept of cancel-culture.
I am just summarising what it really means. Individuals on the platforms of social media or digital platforms, in general, have a kind of justice system, where someone can be kicked out because of things that they said maybe ten or twenty years ago. Maybe he/she is a completely different person now; maybe there is something small that was found in their character or blemish. Certain cases of course are terrible. Certain people obviously need to be called out on such cases. But what are your thoughts on ‘cancel-culture’ today, where there is a sort of social media court and judiciary system that goes on?
Acharya Prashant: It always existed. It always existed at all levels. It's just that social media has amplified it.
When I hear of people being ‘cancelled’, the one thing I ask myself is, ‘Why do they worry about it?’ If you are being rightly called out, as you said, there are instances, when it's important that something or some person be exposed. Then they should take it rather as a blessing and feel grateful where their weaknesses or follies have been exposed that would allow them, help them to be better. And if they have been unduly subjected to non-sense, then again. They should be grateful that a community that they needlessly belong to, has rejected them.
This kind of ostracization is actually redemption—thank you for kicking me out! Thank you for cancelling me!
Do you know, in the bhakti tradition, how do they put it, Saint Kabir it is:
भला हुआ मेरी मटकी फूटी। अब मैं पनीया भरन से छूटी।
I am grateful that I am no more carrying the burden of your companionship.
All this comes from a mindset where one’s fundamental identity is social. So, when you attack somebody’s social identity, you feel you are delivering him a deadly blow. Now, this kind of a blow won’t work on someone who anyway does not give much importance to his social identity. And that’s what spirituality blesses you with—your real identity; your real identity that no one can dare cancel.
If you take your identity from the society then you have given the right to cancel it as well. They give it to you; they can withdraw it. Your identity comes from your friends, your parents, your teachers, your qualification, your employers, your accomplishments. It can be lost any time. Your identity comes from your body—the body can be destroyed. It will anyway age, and become weaker, and disfigured.
So, it is important not to give anybody control over your centre. It's important to be your own master and you cannot be your own master if your fundamental identity comes from the world.
Be of the world and live yet, independently of the world. Let them cancel what they can!
