Cancel culture has always existed and has been used by people of all political walks of life.
From boycotts due to “ethical concerns” to literally burning books (Harry Potter).
People like to blame it on Political Correctness. But there’s a reason PR managers exist in Hollywood. And it’s not like that’s a new profession.
And whilst I can agree there are legitimate good faith criticisms (like
@Father Heathen offered) too often I see arguments against “Cancel Culture” used to protect racist/sexist/homophobic ******** who can’t handle the heat.
I’m not American so this whole “left vs right” thing is something foreign to me. But someone pointed out another platform I frequent was that the only reason right wingers don’t like cancel culture is because the Leftists have used it more successfully than they have in the past. And I mean from my observations I kind of have to agree. For the most part.
As for “being uncomfortable with ideas” again I have to disagree. What I have witnessed (and shamefully engaged in myself at one time) in my once beloved nerdy safe spaces is the so called Alt Right running away from uncomfortable discussions. Mostly about privilege and toxic masculinity. And outright encouraging a shallow engagement with the arts. Trying to get their younger followers to purposefully depoliticise art. Which sounds suspiciously like a tactic by Minitrue from 1984 if you ask me. But whatever.
Declawing artistic lamentations of the human experience and actively discouraging critical thinking. The so called Fandom Menace comes to mind. People complaining that Watchmen is too political. XMen getting too political. Captain freaking America too political. (Incidentally my history teacher loved the original print of him punching Hitler because she hates his guts.)
I even had a discussion with a person recently who was upset that Rage Against the Machine was getting too political. I sincerely hope they were just pulling my leg. Sheesh!
It’s even a meme, r/whoosh or the guy liking the sci fi story and completely missing the deeper meaning.
Of course if a person chooses to ignore subtext, that’s their prerogative. But to claim it’s superior to “politicising everything” stifles art critique imo.