Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1506611
4 UCW AUGUST 30 - SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Well, let's all hope so. ere is no doubt about it : In recent years, the cancel culture has gained prominence as a social phenomenon characterized by public shaming and ostracization of individuals (like me) or entities (like U&CW the media) deemed to have engaged in offensive or objectionable behavior. However, there are signs that this trend may be experiencing a decline in Fayetteville and on a nationwide scale. is is a good thing! One contributing factor to the decline of cancel culture is the growing awareness of its negative consequences. While the misguided intention behind cancel culture may have initially been to hold individuals, businesses, or organizations accountable for their actions, it has more often been weaponized and criticized for its lack of fair due process and its potential to stifle free speech, healthy discourse, and the protections afforded us by the First Amendment of the Constitution. In my ongoing dealings with residents, business owners, and local elected officials, I am beginning to see a more logical and balanced approach to addressing stressful situations and problematic behavior. Procedures that involve more constructive dialogue rather than immediate condemnation that often escalates into damaging name-calling and intimidation. We can only hope this trend continues. We need more societal empathy, compassion, and understanding when dealing with and addressing sensitive and controversial issues. We must move away from knee-jerk reactions and more towards meaningful conversations promoting goodwill toward humanity. While cancel culture and the "blame game" may still exist in some segments of our community, the trend is declining mainly because residents are beginning to realize an increased awareness of its harmful potential and devastating consequences. is is why many Fayetteville citizens hope for big changes come the November municipal elections. As our local leaders, residents, and communities continue to engage in meaningful discussions and advocate for more balanced approaches to addressing issues in our community, I hope that the cancel culture encompassing Fayetteville and Cumberland County will wane even further, paving the way for a more constructive and inclusive form of communication within the community. All in the name of diminishing social discourse and enhancing our community and quality of life. We can only hope. anks for reading Up & Coming Weekly. STAFF PUBLISHER Bill Bowman Bill@upandcomingweekly.com OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Paulette Naylor accounting@upandcomingweekly.com EDITOR Renee Holtz editor@upandcomingweekly.com ART DIRECTOR Courtney Sapp-Scott art@upandcomingweekly.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER Isaiah Jones graphics@upandcomingweekly.com STAFF WRITERS Jamie Bishop Kathleen Ramsey CONTRIBUTING WRITERS John Hood, Pitt Dickey MARKETING ASSOCIATE Linda McAlister linda@upandcomingweekly.com SALES ASSISTANT Sheila D. Barker salesassistant@upandcomingweekly.com COVER Isaiah Jones Up & Coming Weekly www.upandcomingweekly.com 208 Rowan St. P.O. Box 53461 Fayetteville, NC 28305 PHONE: 910-484-6200 FAX: 910-484-9218 Up & Coming Weekly is a "Quality of Life" publication with local features, news and information on what's happening in and around the Fayetteville/Cumberland County community. Published weekly on Wednesdays, Up & Coming Weekly welcomes manuscripts, photographs and artwork for publication consideration, but assumes no responsibility for them. We cannot accept responsibility for the return of unsolicited manuscripts or material. Opinions expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to edit or reject copy submitted for publication. Up & Coming Weekly is free of charge and distributed at indoor and outdoor locations throughout Fayetteville, Fort Bragg, Pope Army Airfield, Hope Mills and Spring Lake. Readers are limited to one copy per person. © 2020 by F&B Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or advertisements without permission is strictly prohibited. Various ads with art graphics designed with elements from: vecteezy.com and freepik.com. Association of Community Publishers BILL BOWMAN, Publisher. COMMENTS? BILL@upandcomin- gweekly.com. 910-484-6200. PUBLISHER'S PEN Cancel Culture on Decline in the Fayetteville community? by BILL BOWMAN Letters to the Editor Do YOU have something to say? We want YOU to be heard! We want EVERYONE to be able to voice their opinions on current community events. Let us be a place to start much needed conversations. ALL VOICES WELCOMED! EMAIL: editor@upandcomingweekly.com CALL: 910-484-6200 Photo courtesy of Pexels.