GERMB450 – EXERCISES

TOPIC 1 – Cancel Culture

SUB-TOPICS

Freedom of expression; the art of the debate; polarisation and nuance; legitimacy and relevance.

INTRODUCTORY QUESTIONS

1. Would you say that we live in an increasingly polarized society? Is it still possible to “agree to
disagree”? On all issues/topics?
2. Do you believe freedom of expression, as enshrined in the First Amendment, is still a core value for
today’s youth? Look at the key findings below from the Knight Foundation 2020 report about college
students’ views of Free Expression and expand. (https://knightfoundation.org/wp-
content/uploads/2020/05/First-Amendment-on-Campus-2020.pdf)
Key findings of the study include:
• College students broadly support free speech, yet increasingly favor restrictions on speech —
particularly speech that targets minority groups.
• Close to 7 in 10 college students (68%) regard citizens’ free speech rights as being “extremely
important” to democracy. Nearly the same percentage (69%) believe an inclusive society that
is welcoming to diverse groups is “extremely important.”
• Eighty-one percent of students widely support a campus environment where students are
exposed to all types of speech, even if they may find it offensive.
• Nearly three-quarters believe colleges should not be able to restrict expression of political
views that are upsetting or offensive to certain groups.
• But 78% of college students favor colleges providing safe spaces, or areas of campus that are
designed to be free from threatening actions, ideas or conversations.
• Also, growing majorities of college students believe colleges should be able to restrict the use
of racial slurs (78%, up from 69% in 2016) and costumes that stereotype certain racial or
ethnic groups (71%, up from 63% in 2016).
• Most college students believe efforts at diversity and inclusion “frequently” (27%) or
“occasionally” (49%) come into conflict with free speech rights.
3. Can you see a difference between “calling out” and “cancelling”? Have you engaged or would you
engage in either practice? Which do you feel is most effective?

DOCUMENTS AND PROMPTS

• CBSN originals Speaking Frankly: Cancel Culture

• Cancel culture seems to have started as an internet joke. Now it's anything but. C. Brito. CBS NEWS
(updated April 5 2021)

1. Critics of cancel culture say the process stifles free expression, others argue that it has empowered
people to challenge the status quo and demand accountability from those in positions of power or
wealth. Where do you stand?
2. Some critics worry that responding to each perceived instance of wrongdoing with the same
punishment — social outcasting — ignores important distinctions while still upholding a culture of
privilege when it comes to who suffers lasting consequences. Do you agree ?
3. Meredith Clark equates cancelling with “punching up”; but Meghan Daum states “it’s one thing to go
after a celebrity who has said a terrible thing and it’s another thing to go after a private citizen who
happened to get caught on film in a really bad moment. Those are not equivalent”. Whom would you
agree with? Which of the illustrations/examples provided in the documentary caught your particular
attention and why?

GERMB450 – EXERCISES 2021-22 – Topic 1