My comment today about not wanting to associate with Barstool Sports has prompted a lot of texts/emails/calls. The response has been incredibly positive, especially from female/BIPOC colleagues who have been afraid to speak out about their issues with Barstool (and sites like it)
My problem with Barstool is the history of unapologetic misogyny, racism, xenophobia and the repeated condoning of non-consensual sex. If not wanting to associate with that makes me part of “cancel culture”, or constitutes “virtue signalling” or being “woke”, I’m OK with that.
As a public service, here are some alternative definitions of those terms, which are often used/misused in the public sphere:
“Cancel Culture”: holding individuals and groups responsible for what they say and do.
“Everyone is in favour of free speech...but some people’s idea of it is that they are free to say what they like, but if anyone says anything back, that is an outrage.”
-Winston Churchill
“Everyone is in favour of free speech...but some people’s idea of it is that they are free to say what they like, but if anyone says anything back, that is an outrage.”
-Winston Churchill
“Virtue Signalling”: using one’s public platform (no matter how large or small) to set an example for others, and following through on that example in one’s own life.
“Woke”: Recognizing that there has been—and still is—inequality and injustice around us, and making a commitment to point it out and affect real change.
And so no, I won’t “stick to sports” or “stay in my lane.” Sports is part of my life but not all of it, and the road I’m on has many, many lanes.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
