The Newest Cancel Culture Victim: the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

Just three days ago, it was announced that the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show would be cancelled this year. While I am truly devastated that I will not be able to participate in my favorite past time (in other words, watching the show from my couch in sweats, eating chips, and feeling bad about myself), I think there is an activist victory at hand. The demise of the fashion show may be a consequence of former chief marketing officer Ed Razek stating that there is "no room" for plus sized models on their runway. The brands revenue is declining, and as a result, Victoria's Secret had to make a change.

Due to the success of social movement against the discrimination of Victoria's Secret, fat activism should look to the current "cancel culture" movement to propel their actions moving forward.

Image Source: a meme for cancel culture

"Cancel culture" is a millennial movement, but don't let that deter your interest in it. Used in its best form, cancel culture can be a way of social justice to expose the wrongdoings of people and hold them accountable for their actions, especially when the law may not do so. The prime example of cancel culture at its finest is R.Kelly. R. Kelly has faced various charges of sexual assault against women throughout his career. Since it appears as if the judicial system has delayed justice, society has taken matters into their own hands. Kelly's concerts have been cancelled and many radio or streaming services have refused to play his music on air. While Kelly waits to have his "official" judgement, the media has made their decision. For the Victoria's Secret former chief marketing officer, his mistake was his discrimination against plus sized models. This lack of inclusion really turned off the consumers from buying from the company. In other words, Victoria's Secret was cancelled.  

There are some drawbacks of "cancel culture" that should be noted. At times, cancel culture can move past forgiveness. People are flawed and make mistakes, and sometimes the media may capitalize too much on every wrong move. Charlotte Cooper, a fat activist, writes about this judgement in Fat Activism. She cites the example of people who have had gastric band surgery and their shunning from the activist community, even though they have had experiences with being fat. Thus, for cancel culture to be optimal, there must be room for communication. Instead of just tweeting "cancelled" at the next ignorant comment you see, maybe take the second to educate the person on the topic.

In the context of fat activism, what needs to be cancelled is the societal ideals on body type rather than people on a personal basis. This may lead to a bit of a confusion, because cancel culture roots from social media and it's not like society has a twitter handle.

The true question: who exactly is cancelled?

This is where I believe fat activism can borrow from cancel culture and make it their own. The cancellation is not directed at a who, but actually a what. The cancelling can start on a personal basis before it reaches the streets, which entails every person stops buying into the ideal body type. Essentially, only do things that will make you happy. So, if going to the gym is what makes you happy, then go. But if eating chocolate on your couch makes you happier? Then do that. There is no direct path to happiness, so don't let big businesses lead you to believe that having the "ideal body type" is what will make you happy. Speaking of big business, they're next. We must cancel the big businesses that are selling us this "ideal body type". Take note from what we did to Victoria's Secret. It's as simple as not letting a business trick you into believing that their product is what you need, despite having morally corrupt business models. There are so many options out there for good bras (or we just don't wear them altogether, but that's a discussion for another blog).

And eventually, we take over the world! Not really, but the hope is that, by cancelling those who discriminate based on body type, we can come together as an accepting society. It won't be easy, but we must hold one another to a higher standard.