Good on you for writing this, James. Far braver than I’ve been able to be about my own struggles. And you are dead right about cancel culture and the need for forgiveness.
There’s just a tiny, nagging thing at the back of my mind, though. How do we ensure appropriate accountability for harmful actions? It’s next to impossible in this age of overheated online shoot-from-the-hip exchanges, but is still a question which needs to be addressed. I’m thinking here about the difference between guilt and shame, amongst other things.
Thanks as ever Pete. What I object to is when people who are clearly trying hard to be forgiven - and may even have been forgiven by the people they've wronged - aren't being allowed to cut any slack by a wider culture. The act of seeking forgiveness is crucial tho; I'd argue someone like the comedian Louis CK, whose whole schtick was built in honesty, has suffered from not really publicly addressing or interrogating his own bad behaviour. In addition, some time in the wilderness is usually necessary, and again in CK's case I think he simply came back too soon. I still feel someone like him should have a route back to forgiveness tho, not least as he's extremely funny.
Yup. There are some people who continue to present a risk to public safety, but that's not normally 'someone who said something unwise on social media once'
Yes. Absolutely. And that’s the madness we have to deal with. Working artists, including writers like yourself, are particularly vulnerable, though this makes it all the more important that you stand up to it.
Good on you for writing this, James. Far braver than I’ve been able to be about my own struggles. And you are dead right about cancel culture and the need for forgiveness.
There’s just a tiny, nagging thing at the back of my mind, though. How do we ensure appropriate accountability for harmful actions? It’s next to impossible in this age of overheated online shoot-from-the-hip exchanges, but is still a question which needs to be addressed. I’m thinking here about the difference between guilt and shame, amongst other things.
Anyway, great piece. Well done!
Thanks as ever Pete. What I object to is when people who are clearly trying hard to be forgiven - and may even have been forgiven by the people they've wronged - aren't being allowed to cut any slack by a wider culture. The act of seeking forgiveness is crucial tho; I'd argue someone like the comedian Louis CK, whose whole schtick was built in honesty, has suffered from not really publicly addressing or interrogating his own bad behaviour. In addition, some time in the wilderness is usually necessary, and again in CK's case I think he simply came back too soon. I still feel someone like him should have a route back to forgiveness tho, not least as he's extremely funny.
Indeed. Our system of justice is meant to include rehabilitation and a route back, isn’t it?
Yup. There are some people who continue to present a risk to public safety, but that's not normally 'someone who said something unwise on social media once'
Yes. Absolutely. And that’s the madness we have to deal with. Working artists, including writers like yourself, are particularly vulnerable, though this makes it all the more important that you stand up to it.