This insidious type of cyberbullying, fueled by the echo chamber effect of social media, has also had a chilling effect on artists and journalists, who increasingly fear saying the wrong thing for fear of being cast out by their peers. As a result, we are losing out on important voices and perspectives that would otherwise contribute to our cultural landscape..
There is a better way. Instead of focusing on redemption, we should focus on recovery. Redemption implies that someone has done something wrong and needs to make amends. But in many cases, people who are canceled have not actually done anything wrong. They may have simply said something that was unpopular or offensive to some people. In these cases, redemption is not necessary. What is needed is recovery—a process of healing and rebuilding that allows people to move on from the trauma of being canceled..
Recovery can take many forms. It may involve therapy, support groups, or simply taking a break from social media. It is important to remember that recovery is not a linear process. There will be setbacks along the way. But with time and support, it is possible to heal from the wounds of cancellation and rebuild a meaningful life..
Here are some specific things that we can do to promote recovery from cancellation:.
* **Be kind to people who have been canceled.** It is easy to pile on when someone is being attacked online. But remember that these are real people who are going through a difficult time. Offer your support and let them know that you believe in them..
* **Challenge the narrative.** When you see someone being canceled, don’t just accept it. Question the reasons why they are being attacked. Are they really guilty of the things they are being accused of? Is there another side to the story?.
* **Support organizations that are working to fight cancel culture.** There are a number of organizations that are working to combat cancel culture and promote free speech. Support their work by donating your time or money..
Cancel culture is a serious problem that is having a negative impact on our society. But it is not insurmountable. By working together, we can create a culture of recovery where people are allowed to make mistakes and learn from them..
**Additional resources:**.
* [The Atlantic: The Canceled](https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/06/cancel-culture-free-speech/613265/).
* [The New York Times: The Rise of Cancel Culture](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/15/opinion/cancel-culture.html).
* [The Washington Post: Cancel Culture: A Primer](https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/cancel-culture-primer/).
