file photos by Boyd Loving
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
In the wake of controversy surrounding comedian Dave Chappelle, Americans overwhelming say “cancel culture” is out of control, and believe free speech should be protected against censorship.
A new national telephone and online survey by Rasmussen Reports and The National Pulse finds that 72% of American Adults believe cancel culture – a form of censorship that harms the careers and reputations of public figures for doing or saying things that are considered offensive – has gotten out of control. Only 15% disagree, while 12% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Chapelle sparked protests last month after the comedian made jokes about transgenderism in his Netflix special The Closer. In a nation divided by politics, concern about cancel culture transcends party lines. Eighty-six percent (86%) of Republicans, 60% of Democrats and 74% of those not affiliated with either major party say cancel culture has gotten out of control.
However, significantly more Democrats (27%) than Republicans (9%) or the unaffiliated (11%) think protecting people from speech that is offensive is more important than protecting free speech.
I hope they cancel stuff for another year because the Moderate voters will go right.
Cancel Culture was fully embraced by Dems when it was all about attacking Republican interests. Now that it also goes after moderate Dem stuff, and being a significant reason why there was a election disaster for them, it’s suddenly not good.
Over recent years, Dems have onboarded all the kooks and misfits into their collection of identity politics. The problem with this is the kooks. Yes, they add to the votes, but they piss off the moderates. This is what happened last week.