‘People want to cancel what they can’t stand’

In a new column on popular culture, Hope Bonarcher looks at why we insist on shunning people we don’t agree with

Most Christians who are living biblically in the 2020s will inevitably experience cancellation. It’s something I’m faced with regularly, if I’m honest. I live in bonnie, ever more ‘progressive’, Scotland, where the brilliant Kate Forbes couldn’t be chosen to represent the nation – literally, because she’s a Christian. 

Recently our family made a major change; I started home educating our children. Where I’m from in America, this is hardly a big deal. But here in Scotland, I hesitate to admit it. It’s hard enough being black, Christian and a stay-at-home mom with four kids. I shudder to think what would happen if I revealed the home-educating card. I’m sure people would turn away from me, make crosses with their pointer fingers, hide their faces as they make cruel hissing sounds…It’s only happened in my imagination so far, thank goodness!