"We in movement must learn to choose life even in conflict, even when seeking accountability, composting the tension and bad behaviors while holding the beating hearts."
– adrienne maree brown
I will not cancel you. No matter how much harm you've done. No matter how hateful your actions and words and views.
I will not cancel you even when I know you are being intentionally provocative. When I know you are lying. When I know that you know that I know that you're lying. Even when those lies lead to real negative and long lasting consequences.
I will not cancel you because it would be too easy to cancel you. Too easy to engage in the same sort of interaction that you engage in. Too easy to get lost in the inhumanity that you are lost in.
I will not cancel you.
And, I will not condone your words and behaviors and views.
I will rebuke you. I will confront you. I will criticize you. I will hold you publicly accountable for what you've done.
But I will not cancel you.
Because I know there are people less experienced than me who are watching me and learning from me and being inspired and motivated by me.
People who may be tempted into thinking that canceling you is the quickest way to achieve justice.
People who may be misled into thinking that canceling you will ever achieve justice.