Donald Glover has sparked a cancel culture debate after he said "boring" TV shows and films are a result of people "being afraid to get cancelled."
Twitter users seemed split on how to interpret his tweets, with some seeing them as a critique of rampant "cancel culture" in society, and others making the literal interpretation that Glover was talking about TV shows and movies that are dropped by producers for being too experimental.
The actor, also known as Childish Gambino, made a return to Twitter on Tuesday to share his thoughts on the topic.
"Saw people on here havin a discussion about how tired they were of reviewing boring stuff (tv & film)," he wrote. "We're getting boring stuff and not even experimental mistakes(?) because people are afraid of getting cancelled."
In a final tweet, he concluded: "So they feel like they can only experiment w/ aesthetic. (also because some of em know theyre not that good)."
Newsweek has contacted representatives of Glover for comment.
we're getting boring stuff and not even experimental mistakes(?) because people are afraid of getting cancelled
— donald (@donaldglover) May 11, 2021
The tweets sparked a divided conversation among the rapper's followers, with some piling in on the excoriation of cancel culture, while others agreed on the point of TV shows and movies not pushing the envelope enough in the name of art.
One user wrote: "The PC culture has really put a damper on creative work."
A second explained: "I think he's just talking about cancelling from a creative perspective. Like how tv shows get cancelled if they don't get enough viewers. He's saying creatives are forced to make safer content because it can get viewers, like sitcoms. Whereas experimental shows risk cancelation."
A third user added that social media also played a part in the issue of cancel culture.
They wrote: "Things like twitter further enforce this trend. So often you see posts like "such a great show/movie" with a screenshot showing off pure aesthetic, even though every other aspect of the show is boring. Why try experimenting elsewhere if aesthetic is all you need to get popular?"
However, some users argued that art "requires risk" and that being cancelled "isn't an excuse."
One Twitter user explained: "Originality requires risk, and seeking validation based on profit always murders originality because originality isn't always palatable to the masses."
"Isn't the purpose of art to trigger a reaction in people? Get creative because you're not getting canceled," another added. "I love your work, but when public opinion changes, being canceled isn't an excuse for making good art. Just look at history for that. Art perseveres."
Other users questioned the responsibility of artists for the lack of creative content.
"Aren't mistakes what make something unique? Those unique quirks, or differences that allow others to vastly flourish from one another," one wrote. "An aesthetic isn't full self-expression, right?"
Another person replied: "WE NEED TO EXPERIMENT MORE NO MATTER WHAT! TAKE THOSE RISKS. DO WHAT WE NEVER THOUGHT WE CAN DO."
"I feel that if you are a creative, just make your joint and put it out. If they don't like it , then they can kiss ya ass. Keep pushin," another urged.
