DiscoverLeadership That LiberatesOnline Shaming, Cancel Culture, and the Illusion of Justice
Online Shaming, Cancel Culture, and the Illusion of Justice

Online Shaming, Cancel Culture, and the Illusion of Justice

Update: 2025-09-03
Share

Description

What if the ways we pursue justice are keeping us trapped in the very dynamics we seek to dismantle?

In this episode, I explore the rise of shaming, punitive policing, and cancel culture—particularly in the online space—and share why I see these practices as reflections of colonialism, capitalism, and white supremacy.

If shame is at the center of why we self-suppress and oppress others, then what happens when we weaponize shame in the name of liberation? I think there are deeper unmet needs beneath our desire for punishment, the parts of us that take pleasure in others’ pain, and why it feels easier to choose exile over compassion, courage, and connection.

But if we’re serious about liberation, we have to move beyond false binaries and quick fixes and learn how to meet one another in our full humanity. That starts with examining the oppression we’ve internalized and taking responsibility for how we replicate harm. Real accountability means choosing the harder, braver work of relational repair, restoration, and reconciliation over the ease of blame and banishment.


Join the waitlist for my signature RootWork program.

Visit my ⁠⁠website⁠⁠ to learn about my organizational offerings or to request a custom-created leadership workshop, program, or retreat for your institution.

Want my support in unearthing and transforming your unconscious beliefs, protective patterns, and survival strategies? ⁠Apply for 3 months of 1:1 coaching.

Follow the podcast on ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠Apple⁠⁠ to catch the next episode. Please leave a rating and/or review if you find this content insightful, meaningful, or useful. 

Prefer this content in video form? Subscribe to my ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠.

Comments 
00:00
00:00
x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

Online Shaming, Cancel Culture, and the Illusion of Justice

Online Shaming, Cancel Culture, and the Illusion of Justice

Lena Papadopoulos