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KPBS Midday Edition

Has 'Cancel Culture' Gotten Away From Accountability?

Newly released video of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has increased scrutiny of the GOP congresswoman. Two Democrats have called for her to be expelled from Congress while Speaker Nancy Pelosi criticized the House GOP leadership for its support of Greene.
Brynn Anderson AP
Newly released video of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has increased scrutiny of the GOP congresswoman. Two Democrats have called for her to be expelled from Congress while Speaker Nancy Pelosi criticized the House GOP leadership for its support of Greene.
San Diego Union Tribune Columnist Chares Clark joined Midday Edition to talk about his recent column about 'Cancel Culture".

These days we hear a lot about "cancel culture" — when someone who’s done or said something damaging is deplatformed, fired or boycotted. In other words, they are held accountable.

But, has cancel culture gotten away from accountability and is it being used as a weapon?

The San Diego Union-Tribune Columnist Charles Clark says, yes. In a recent column he writes, it's time to retire the phrase and get back to accountability.

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"I feel like you started hearing this phrase around the time of the #MeToo movement. 'Canceling' someone became a public way to police predatory men who otherwise would not have been held accountable and haven't been held accountable for decades. Somewhere along the way conservative media co-opted this term 'cancel culture' to be more about the stifling of conservative speech or people infringing on free speech," Clark said.

RELATED: Publisher Cancels Book By Sen. Hawley, Citing His Role In Inciting Capitol Attack

He joined Midday Edition to talk about the ways cancel culture has recently been used to shield people from accountability by pulling attention away from harm caused by their action.