In recent years, a troubling trend has emerged, threatening the very fabric of open discourse: cancel culture. Initially aimed at holding individuals accountable for harmful actions, it has devolved into an unforgiving environment where people are ostracized for holding different political or social views.
As a Jewish, LGBT, social and political activist and adviser, I believe that the values of inclusion, acceptance and freedom of speech are non-negotiable. Just as I refuse for anyone to closet me for my LGBT identity, no one can closet me for my Jewish, Zionist or Israeli identity.
It is this steadfast commitment to inclusion that demands people reconsider the practice of canceling family, friends or even strangers over political disagreements. Especially during this month of holidays.
Cancel culture—particularly within liberal, progressive and LGBTQ communities—is becoming a divisive force. Ironically, these are the same communities that have long championed tolerance, acceptance and diversity. Yet we are seeing people “cancel” those closest to them—family members, lifelong friends and colleagues—because they hold opposing political or social views. This instinct to exclude is not only misguided; it is counterproductive.
Even with my almost life-long LGBTQ activism and advocacy, I have directly been targeted, attacked and ostracized by my own communities and movements because of my being outspoken as a Jewish, Zionist and Israeli-American. The mind-twisting justifications for anti-Jewish, anti-Zionist and anti-Israel beliefs within the LGBTQ, liberal and progressive movements have been shamefully abhorrent. I have seen it develop for years before the explosion of bigotry we are seeing today.
The November elections and Republican wins have caused a wave of discomfort across the United States. In response to cancel culture on the left, massive amounts of American voters felt ostracized by their own social and political parties and movements, and shifted their affiliation. We saw this in the results of the U.S. presidential election.
We are at a pivotal time in history when activism is essential. The global challenges we face—climate change, human-rights abuses, social inequality and political polarization—require all of us to engage meaningfully. However, meaningful activism cannot thrive in an echo chamber. The strength of a democracy lies in its diversity of thought—in the respectful exchange of differing opinions, and in the willingness to listen even when we disagree.
Cancel culture operates on a binary premise: You’re either on the “right” side of history, or you’re not. The movements that have fought for “non-binary” understanding and identity have embraced binary thinking. This oversimplified view leaves no room for nuance or personal growth. People are complex, and their beliefs are shaped by a multitude of experiences, cultures and personal struggles. Political beliefs are rarely black and white; they are in actuality a mosaic of values, priorities and compromises.
For example, many individuals who once identified as liberal or progressive have shifted toward more centrist or conservative positions. Why? Because the goalposts within certain factions of the progressive movement have moved so far left that some feel alienated. These individuals have not abandoned their core values but have chosen to prioritize different issues or seek a political home where their voices can still be heard. This shift is not a betrayal; it’s a reflection of the complex and evolving nature of political identity.
Canceling these individuals rather than engaging them only deepens societal rifts. It shuts down opportunities for understanding and reconciliation, leaving us more polarized than ever.
True inclusion does not require conformity. In fact, inclusion thrives on the coexistence of different ideas, cultures, and perspectives. Our strength as individuals and as a society lies in our ability to engage with others who challenge our views. We do not need to agree on every issue to find common ground.
Let me lean for a moment into my Jewish identity, culture, religion and philosophy. The Jewish concept of Machloket L’Shem Shamayim (“a dispute for the sake of heaven”) teaches that respectful debate is not only healthy but necessary for growth. This concept is embedded in Jewish tradition, where vigorous debate over religious texts has been a cornerstone of learning for centuries. We can apply this same principle to modern political discourse: engage in debate not to win but to understand, and in doing so, strengthen the bonds that hold us together.
If we want to create a society that values inclusion, we must shift from canceling to conversing. Here are a few ways we can foster unity without compromising our values:
1. Listen to understand, not to respond: Approach conversations with genuine curiosity. Ask questions. Seek to understand the “why” behind someone’s beliefs.
2. Create safe spaces for difficult conversations: Encourage open dialogue in homes, workplaces and community spaces where differing opinions can be shared respectfully. Turn a “safe space” into a “brave space” in which people can be their genuine, authentic selves, and explore, learn, develop, and challenge themselves.
3. Acknowledge common ground: Even when we disagree, we often share core values—family, safety, justice and fairness. Highlighting these commonalities can bridge divides. Shared values are more important than being part of the same political party affiliation or who we vote for.
4. Recognize the right to change: People grow and evolve. Allow room for transformation and forgive those who may have once expressed views you find problematic. In the democratic process, it is vital for people to respect each other for having the right to represent and be represented—and it is within that process that we can and often do develop and change.
5. Reject the all-or-nothing mindset: Believing that someone must align with your views entirely to be worthy of inclusion is dangerous. Celebrate progress and incremental change rather than demanding perfection. True progressive beliefs are about the progress of society; otherwise, it is not progressive and is regressive (or as I call these people, “fauxgressive”).
Inclusion is not about erasing differences but embracing them. It is about ensuring that everyone has a place at the table, regardless of political affiliation or personal beliefs. Our society is stronger when all voices are heard, even those we disagree with.
We need to remember that our shared humanity transcends political boundaries. The world is not neatly divided into “us” versus “them.” It is a complex, interconnected web of individuals with unique stories, values and dreams. By embracing this complexity, we can move beyond the divisiveness of cancel culture and towards a more inclusive, compassionate society. That is where we find the “us/we” instead of the “us/them.”
We must build a future where unity does not demand conformity, where activism is rooted in understanding and where everyone, regardless of their political beliefs, feels valued and heard.