Accountability Culture vs Punishment Culture:
A Response to a Letter on Justice and Open Debate
‘A Letter on Justice and Open Debate’ warns against public shaming and ostracism with the fear that societal dogma will promote ‘illiberalism’ and censorship. The letter contends that the center and left leaning are becoming as raucous as the right wing. It worries that the public shaming which has led to firings and other punishments will smother the flame of free and open debate. It foresees a future of scared artists and writers hiding from conflict. The letter’s intent is noble, but ultimately puts the onus on society as a whole, instead of editors, publishers, and institutions that have the control.
This current ‘culture’ was born from people having enough of those with power abusing it: whether that power comes from fame (celebrities) or society’s blessing (law enforcement). It’s not only police. It’s also people like R. Kelly, Kevin Spacey, Jeffrey Epstein, Brett Kavanaugh, etc. The list of people abusing their power is only eclipsed by the list of their victims.
The writing industry needs to be shaken – not for superiors to attack their staff, but for them to empower their staff. It’s not accountability culture that needs to change; it’s punishment culture that needs to change.
Christian Cooper was bird watching when Amy Cooper called 911 with a false claim. He luckily caught it on camera. The public tore her apart for her racist act. Christian recognized the scorn of the public and decided not to comply with the DA in a case against her. He chose mercy over mercilessness. People in positions of power need to follow his example. Amy is being held accountable. Fifteen years in jail is likely to introduce her to more extreme points of view; continuing the cycle. Things can change if we have less imbalanced punishment and more accountability.
Editors and publishers need to be brave and empower their staff to write, while also being accountable for the things they support or create. Our culture is tired of Lolita celebs, John Wayne cops, and Jim Crow behavior. It’s those in charge that believe in punishment without mercy or tact; or even our government, which believes no accountability is fine and that needs to change.
At least one signer of the letter is embroiled in scandal because she openly supports bigotry against a specific group of people. With our President retweeting white supremacist propaganda, it’s hard to watch once-cherished authors taking his lead. Fame or a byline is a privilege, and with that privilege should come accountability.
The letter does not mention accountability. Open debate without accountability is Jack Dorsey’s Twitter. I remember the James Gunn and Kevin Hart fiascos. Anytime we make a move in the right direction there will be poison pills rioting at the edges. We can’t falter or slow down because we’re afraid they’re rubbing off on us. They want to prevent change; we want to make it.
We have to keep pushing until our culture is not built by mass incarceration, white cis male leadership, and people paid by taxpayers to attack and harass other taxpayers. Justice and open debate mean nothing without accountability.
Greg T. Miraglia, Writer and Poet