CANCEL the CANCEL CULTURE
By DOTr Asec Hope Libiran
It has been quite a very challenging past few weeks for me, and I can very well relate even in social media where the toxicity level has been off the charts!
My friend, Direk Paul Soriano, and his very popular spouse, Toni Gonzaga, have been the subject of so many vile posts, memes and are even being cancelled out, all because they have made known publicly who their preference is in politics.
It is so unfair to the couple. This cancel culture, mostly propagated by the supporters of one presidential candidate, has really gone too far. Why can’t there be more respect and less hate? Why devalue a person just because of politics?
This presidential candidate’s supporters are claiming to be defenders of democracy, and yet they call to cancel Direk Paul and Toni for their political preference.
Direk Paul and Toni made their choice, and their choice is protected by the same constitution these cancel culture advocates are breathing. The irony. The hypocrisy.
I have been friends with Direk Paul for more than a decade, and I can personally attest to his kindness, hardwork and humility. Never will I waver in my trust and confidence in him just because of misguided attacks against his character and choice.
I myself have also been the recent subject of hate and venomous postings, when I tried to utilize social media to seek justice against a felony committed against me and my household.
I really believed that my decision to use social media as an avenue to go after the person who stole valuables from me was really proper, most especially in the context of urgency and speedy capture of the culprit.
However, there are elements in our society who pounced on me, laughed at me, and heavily politicized the issue, only because I have been identified as, according to a number of“educated” cancel culture advocates, a “certified DDS and a Marcos apologist”. It is lamentable to say the the least, and it made me realize how far we have gone as netizens. It made me reflect on the very thin ice we are skating between responsible blogging against damaging the psyche and reputation of our subject.
This experience has really shaken my foundation on values and respect. And this “cancel culture” promoting hate, indignity and vile to those who do not subscribe to their politics, is really abhorrent and detestable. It is divisive. It is destructive of relationships.
Is it really worth the toxicity? And is this the kind of culture that we want our children to witness and experience themselves? Do we want them to grow up in this kind of environment? Think.
But through it all, I still believe that there will always be that innate goodness in humanity.
As toxic as it was, I still felt the love and support of the people who matter most. And I am comforted by the fact that my work, and that of my team in government, have been recognized and appreciated by so many as instrumental in communicating what the Duterte Administration has really accomplished for the Filipino people and the nation.
Like Direk Paul and Toni, I humbly accept that detractors and haters will continue to distract and hate, but they are part and parcel of the life we have chosen.
And I remain on solid footing, trusting that this storm shall come to pass, and that what we achieved in government and public service is what really is considered important and cherished by many.
Life, indeed, is full of challenges, heartbreaks and negativity. It is the cruel and sad reality, but it is also what makes it more colorful, exciting and vibrant, if we deal with it in the manner that would make us rise above it all.
After all, my name is Hope, and whatever does not kill or silence me, makes me stronger!
[LINK TO MY DAILY TRIBUNE OPINION ARTICLE:
https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2022/02/14/cancel-the-cancel-culture/]
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