Getting a Handle on Haters

Vito suggests the all-pervasive cancel culture that continues to claim another casualty by the day, whether it be a box of cereal, can of beans, pancake syrup, or a beloved beauty blogger, undoubtedly originated from social media and its multitude of platforms that don’t offer consequences for one’s nefarious actions against another.  Social media hands everyone an anonymous microphone to voice their opinion, admonishment, denouncement – whatever – without repercussions, creating a collective cyberbully effect.  The dangerous result is inhibition of creativity, fear of backlash, and a direct assault on the First Amendment.  While Vito is a staunch proponent of free expression, he believes all free speech should come with a price and one should accept the consequences of their words, but not to the extent they be eternally cast to the deepest dungeons and shuttered from polite society for all perpetuity.  This is where he believes cancel culture represents a clear and present disconnect.  Cancel culture is based on a single-sided mob mentality that seeks to conquer and destroy at any and all costs, and in most cases, egregiously lacks civility, respect, and empathy for its victims. The canceled artist, person, product, brand, or company isn’t afforded their side of the story, their argument, or their response, which is deeply disconcerting on so many levels in a supposed “free society.”  But, there is a way to fight back, win the culture war, and survive the online bloodbath.  

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Who hates?  Vito suggests the hate-filled mob mentality stems from those who harbor deep, unresolved resentment, hurt, or pain that have really nothing to do with those they seek to cancel.  Though, anyone unfortunate to have been on the chopping block of the merciless social media mob may beg to differ.  It takes some deep, mental re-programming and hard work to wrap your head around ‘it’s them, not me” when the endless conveyor belt of brutal online attacks comes for you.  It’s important to remember you’re never going to please these hateful, hurt people who desperately seek attention by deliberately destroying someone else’s life, and in most cases, livelihood.  Your best course of action is to not apologize or bow down to the mob, but to flip the script on your haters.  Here’s how.  By apologizing, you’re admitting defeat for which you can never truly recover, so don’t do it.  Instead, start by confidently engaging with the unruly opposition by suggesting a civil discourse and/or debate, which will only increase your followership and fanbase.  When you stand your ground, don’t back down, and fiercely protect what you believe in, there’s no stopping you and there is nothing the haters can do to cancel you.  Eventually, they’ll go looking for their next victim or, even better, begin to eat their own.