Molly Ringwald Speaks Out Against Cancel Culture, Calling It ‘Unsustainable’
Molly Ringwald thinks the idea of cancel culture has begun to spin out of control and unnecessarily condemns people.
While the #MeToo movement was started and fueled because of allegations against men in power like Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey, some members of the entertainment industry think things have gotten a little bit out of hand. Recently voicing her opinion on the matter, Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles star, Molly Ringwald, shared her beliefs that cancel culture is spinning out of control.
In an interview with The Guardian, Molly Ringwald cast a scathing glare at those pushing cancel culture, referring to those who back such movements as “a bunch of Puritans” who are unable to see the gray area, only focusing on the black and white of things. Calling what’s happening now as “unsustainable,” the Riverdale actress said that she was worried that it will only be a matter of time until things get out of hand and some folks are “unfairly cancelled,” something she says has already begun to happen.
Adding to her cancel culture anxiety, Molly Ringwald is also nervous that the number of cancellations is only giving ammunition to the other side, making “people roll their eyes” when someone new is called out. One such creative currently caught in the crosshairs of cancelation culture is Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling. Over the last several years, the famed writer has taken swings at the trans community, leading many of her fans to condemn her actions and throw her name into the canceled ring.
The cast from the popular film series has been split down the middle with the younger generation slamming Rowling for her upsetting viewpoints while others like Helena Bonham Carter have voiced their support for the writer to be allowed to have her own opinion. Nonetheless, with a Harry Potter TV series now in the early stages of development, Rowling won’t need to sweat the loss of money.
Although she didn’t mention her by name, Molly Ringwald could be referring to the likes of Rowling and others like her who the actress doesn’t deem cancel culture-worthy nor in the “same category as somebody like Harvey Weinstein.”
Molly Ringwald’s entire interview may strike a nerve for those who believe that consumers have an obligation to ensure the content they’re taking in is created without the mistreatment of others. In her statement, the actress said that while she knows that cancel culture can be a good thing, she doesn’t “think a Harvey Weinstein situation could exist now.” This notion is a bit of a cringey one as there will almost certainly always be a very real possibility (and threat) for someone like Harvey Weinstein to take advantage of those seeking a career in Hollywood and beyond.
As long as there is a dynamic with one person holding power over another, a Harvey Weinstein-like situation can always exist whether for sexual, financial, or other gains. But, to agree with Molly Ringwald and continue to flesh out her thoughts, there are other ways to deal with non-sexual-based misconduct and disagreements, primarily through education and conversations. While we may not agree on everything, it would be refreshing to see cancel culture shift toward a more education-based platform with the takedown of the elite only immediately brought upon for those more criminal behaviors.
