PR Nightmares & Cancel Culture
“If you didn't show up today with HIV/AIDS, or any of them deadly sexually transmitted diseases that'll make you die in two to three weeks, then put your cell phone light in the air,” he said. “Ladies, if your p****y smells like water, put a cell phone light in the air. Fellas, if you ain’t suck a n***a d**k in the parking lot, put your cell phone lights in the air. Keep it f*****g real.” - Da Baby, Rolling Loud Miami 2021
In the past few days, Jonathan Kirk, popularly known as Da Baby, has been removed from the lineup of several upcoming music events as a result of his homophobic and inappropriate comments during his set at Rolling Loud. He initially responded to the backlash via social media, proclaiming that what he does and says at his shows to his fans isn’t up for debate on the Internet. He went on to apologize for his insensitive remarks but criticized brands who profit off of Black rapper’s “influence on the culture” and promoted his upcoming tour dates. As of today, he has now been dropped from Lollapalooza, ParkLife Festival and the Governer’s Ball, as well as relieved of his duties as a Boohoo Man ambassador. This is what many would call a PR nightmare and the beginning of being “cancelled.”
Many people who have experienced the wrath of “cancel culture” tend to believe that it doesn’t leave room for growth or forgiveness, however the reality is that in this new era, you are no longer allowed to be ignorant without consequence. Of course I can believe that Da Baby understands that his comments were insensitive, but I also don’t believe that one should be able to make such blatantly ignorant and harmful comments and face no repercussions just because they said sorry. Especially an apology that is followed by defensiveness and seemingly makes a mockery of being held accountable. For a publicist, having a client that is unwilling to not only apologize but also hold themselves accountable for their words and actions not just being offensive to others but being wrong overall, is our worst nightmare.
In my opinion, “cancel culture” is not meant to create an environment where people are afraid to say/do anything wrong, but meant to facilitate a society that holds people accountable and forces everyone to think before they speak or act. A lot of mistakes people make come from their own ignorance or just the absence of taking the time to put thought into what they are putting out into the world. Although people have been doing and saying homophobic, racist, sexist, and harmful things since the beginning of time and got away with it unscathed, those days have come to an end. Calling people “sensitive” and comparing today’s situations to those that happened 10-20 years ago doesn’t do anything except highlight the fact that this change in today’s society and culture is well overdue. It wasn’t okay then and it isn’t okay now, and if people have to be “canceled” to understand that, then so be it.
- Aleisha Baker