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That one sentence rather undermined the bulk of the rest of the letter: if, as they argue "cancel culture" isn't a real thing then why are they afraid if being

That one sentence rather undermined the bulk of the rest of the letter: if, as they argue "cancel culture" isn't a real thing then why are they afraid if being cancelled? I think they address in part; POC and other minorities don't have "institutional power" to protect them like white cis men (presumably) do. The argument would have been more effective IMO if they focused on that point rather than shaming the signatories, but that wasn't the point. "Counter punch" is indeed a good word for what they were doing here.

mellosouls 6y ago
Yes I agree with that - I think the argument against their perceived weakness in institutions is that academia/media/tech are generally claimed to be left-dominated by the right. But even if it is, that is not the same as POC and minorities having material power, even in those places. But the historical lack of power is a powerful argument to pursue and use in counter as here - but they have to be prepared for the "well, all those institutions are run by liberals now" response. I don't see anything but weakness in the left's denial of the obvious witch-hunts - they should not protest so much perhaps but examine honestly in good faith the complaint, and bear in mind that while this is currently (mostly but not entirely) a disease of the left, conservatives need also to remember their own equivalent purges in the McCarthy years. This is a human flaw, and acknowledging it while maintaining the right to defend against institutional legacy power structures and discrimination or bias seems a more healthy and constructive way forward.