The Paradox of Callout Culture and Its Impact on Social Justice Activism

Written by Musulyn. M

This article explores the "callout culture" phenomenon in social justice activism, its harmful effects, and how it often perpetuates the bigotry it seeks to eradicate. This post also discusses practical ways to promote empathy and constructive dialogue.

I am exhausted from the prevalent callout culture, the mishandling of microaggressions, and the anger that permeates the activist community. It's puzzling how empathy and compassion have become controversial in a world that should be more understanding and forgiving. This piece may seem like a callout, but I prefer to consider it a call-in.

In today's world, we often believe we know everything about current events and social justice issues. However, the truth is that we know very little. Many of you reading this may need to learn more about social justice activism. I admit, there was a time when I didn't know either. However, It's 2024, and things are changing rapidly. Many of us know much about activism and what it means to be a true activist, especially if we're in a position of influence. But let me tell you, it's okay not to know everything. I certainly don't, and neither do you. The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know and, sometimes, need to be corrected.

Ignorance significantly contributes to many of the social issues we face daily. Whether it's corporate aggression, inhumane acts, or the ignorance and arrogance that accompany racism, ignorance is often at the root of our unrest.

In today's world, it's common for people to exercise their freedom in many ways. I'm grateful to live in a country that allows me to exercise my freedom of speech, my right to vote, and participate in political and social justice matters. I'm thankful for liberation But more for the ability to express ourselves and our voices differently. I appreciate that I can step outside my front door and encounter a variety of opinions, and it's completely okay if someone disagrees with my views. It's a testament to the freedom we enjoy.

Definition of Callout Culture

Callout or cancel culture is a way of behaving in a society or group where people are often criticized for perceived wrongs in public, for example, on social media. It's a practice in social justice circles of publicly criticizing individuals for violating accepted behavioural standards. However, as we've discussed, it's essential to approach this culture with care and empathy.

The Irony of Callout Culture

Callout culture, ironically, often perpetuates the very bigotry it seeks to eradicate. For instance, consider the case of a well-meaning activist publicly shamed for a minor misstep, causing them to disengage from the movement entirely. In turn, not only does this harm the individual, but it weakens the movement as a whole.

Examples of Callout Culture Perpetuating Bigotry:

Callout culture, while often well-intentioned, can sometimes inadvertently perpetuate bigotry. Here are a few examples of how this can happen:

Public Shaming: Instead of educating and encouraging growth, callout culture can resort to public shaming, which can cement prejudices and cause defensiveness rather than understanding.
Echo Chambers: It can create environments where only certain viewpoints are accepted, silencing marginalized voices who might have a different perspective.
Tokenism can pressure individuals to tokenize their experiences or identities to gain acceptance or avoid being called out.
Harassment: The line between calling out harmful behaviour and harassment can blur, leading to personal attacks that reinforce negative stereotypes and discrimination.
Surface-Level Activism: Callouts can sometimes focus on surface-level issues rather than addressing systemic problems, allowing more profound bigotry matters to persist.

These examples highlight the importance of approaching conversations with empathy and a willingness to educate rather than condemn.

The Need for Empathy and Compassion

Equality, peace, and justice ideals can only be realized when we learn to listen, empathize, practice kindness, implement patience, exhibit compassion, and radiate love. To counteract this, we could start by promoting empathy workshops in our communities or creating online spaces dedicated to constructive dialogue.

The Dangers of Shaming

It's concerning that a specific movement advocating compassion, liberty, and equality also endorses shaming as a means of persuasion. Shaming is an act of violence and oppression in itself and is counterproductive to the cause of social justice. Instead, we could focus on promoting restorative justice practices that aim to repair harm and build understanding.

It's okay to admit not being fully educated on essential topics

The Illusion of Knowledge

In today's world, we often overestimate our understanding of complex issues such as social justice. The truth is, most of us know far less than we think we do about these matters. Ignorance is a significant contributor to many societal issues we grapple with daily.

The Power of Humility

It's essential to acknowledge that none of us have all the answers. The more we learn, the more we realize how little we know. This humility allows us to approach social justice issues with an open mind and heart.

Freedom and Gratitude

We are fortunate to live in a time and place where we can freely express our opinions and participate in social justice matters. This freedom is something to be grateful for. However, respecting differing perspectives and engaging in constructive online and offline dialogue are equally important.

Promoting Healing and Constructive Dialogue: Here are some steps activists can take:

Storytelling Techniques: These can foster understanding between hostile social groups.
- Dialogue Techniques: These can stimulate acknowledgment between representatives of opposing points of view.
- Public Policy and Environmental Mediation Techniques: These can locate complex solutions to intractable international problems.
- Prejudice Reduction and Bias Awareness Techniques can increase cross-cultural recognition and empowerment.
- Heart-Based Techniques: These can promote reconciliation and redemption.

By truly comprehending these crucial aspects, we can adopt a more robust and compelling approach to social justice activism, one that is grounded in empathy and constructive action.

In conclusion, while callout culture may have its place in highlighting injustices, it's crucial to approach it cautiously. Let's strive for a culture that promotes understanding, empathy, and constructive dialogue over public shaming and cancelling.