By Tamara Jones
If you have any social networking sites, then I’m sure you’re familiar with the phrase cancel culture, and if by chance, you’ve managed to escape the term, I will gladly explain it’s intended meaning and origin. Mariam Webster defines cancel culture as “the practice or tendency of engaging in mass canceling as a way of expressing disapproval and exerting social pressure.” The first known use of the term arose in 2016 during the #MeToo movement and since its inception, it has largely held a negative connotation, specifically in the political landscape. Many adversaries of cancel culture feel as if the act perpetuates an erasure of the First Amendment, more specifically – freedom of speech. In fact, cancel culture has often been touted as a liberal tactic for a suppression of conservative ideals. However, freedom of speech is often confused with the freedom to say whatever you’d like--without consequence. That consequence, in recent years has been inaccurately described as cancel culture. In fact, the act of “canceling” is merely just holding public figures accountable for their words and actions. Moreover, the so-called victims of cancel culture haven’t faced any repercussions that have impeded their freedom, careers, or safety. They have simply been called to task for racist, xenophobic, or homophobic statements. A few notable names of public figures who were “canceled” in 2021 are Ellen DeGeneres, J.K. Rolling, Justin Timberlake--all of whom took to their social channels and issued statements apologizing for the behavior they were called out for. As Communications majors we all know the power that words have. Certain words and phrases shape a narrative. I believe that cancel culture is a misnomer since the individuals being “canceled” don’t face any type of expiry. A more accurate name would be consequence culture. Sources: Americans and ‘Cancel Culture’: Where Some See Calls for Accountability, Others See Censorship, Punishment https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2021/05/19/americans-and-cancel-culture-where-some-see-calls-for-accountability-others-see-censorship-punishment/
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By Tamara Jones
Do you know what Tesla is? I know, easy question. Did you know that Tesla Motors does not have a public relations (PR) department? Shocking right. The average company spends about 12% of their annual revenue on PR and communication, so for a Fortune 500 company to neglect this area of business altogether is a complete anomaly. Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla Motors, dissolved his PR department in 2020. His rationale for such an aberrant action was “not believing in manipulating public opinion.” A public relations team is an integral part of any successful company or organization. They are tasked with the job of handling a company’s reputation through communication measures. Tesla is currently facing major scrutiny involving diversity issues and the company and CEO’s reputation is under fire. Tesla is party to over 1,200 lawsuits, nearly all of which center around the issue of discrimination. In October 2021, Tesla was ordered to pay $137 million to a former worker who accused the company of ignoring a years’ worth of harassment, discrimination, and racist abuse. Owen Diaz, an elevator operator at Tesla from 2015 to 2016 recalled treatment he detailed as “straight from the Jim Crow era.” Some of the instances include employees drawing swastikas and racist graffiti around the plant, using racist slurs (including the N-word), and an overall hostile work environment – all of which were ignored by supervisors. There is an ongoing lawsuit that has been filed by California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing. They are alleging that the Tesla factory in Freemont, California, is racially segregated and that black workers are subjected to racist slurs and drawings. Tesla has yet to issue a comment on these legal matters, which makes the company look complicit with fostering a hostile and racist working environment. It would be a prime time to reinstate a Public Relations department. Sources: Tesla hit by another lawsuit over racism by an ex worker https://www.reuters.com/business/tesla-hit-by-another-lawsuit-over-racism-by- ex-worker-2022-02-22/ Is it Smart for Tesla to Not Have a PR Department? https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2021/06/07/is-it-smart-for-tesla-to-not-have-a-pr-department/?sh=262edf1c396b |
AuthorBowie State University SPR Group Student Blog Archives
May 2022
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