Earlier this month, John Cleese, 82-year-old comedian and actor of Monty Python withdrew as a speaker at a Cambridge Union event. The Monty Python actor effectively ‘blacklisted’ himself, tweeting in outrage at the ‘woke’ nature of the Cambridge Union after they banned historian Andrew Graham Dixon. The art historian had performed a mock impression of Hitler at an art and good taste debate earlier this month, clearly offending various students who were present to witness this disastrous incident. The impersonation was clearly not in good taste!
Following the distasteful impersonation, the union received a significant number of complaints. Whilst students had expressed their outrage at the event, former prospective speakers like Cleese had tweeted in indignation at the Unions response to ban Dixon as a speaker. Keir Bradwell, the Cambridge Union President announced that he would create a ‘blacklist’, effectively banning speakers like Dixon from further debates. However, the Cambridge Union has since undergone a U-turn in their ‘blacklisting’ plans following Cleese’s withdrawal from his planned talk. This U-turn has perhaps come across as misleading for many students who believe that Dixon and others should face repercussions for their actions. Or perhaps the U-turn may appear to be a 21-year-old simply trying to defend the free speech institution that the Cambridge Union was built upon.
The Cambridge Union is the oldest debating society in the world proudly ‘defending free speech since 1815’. Though the society is one of the oldest and largest societies at Cambridge, it has arguably come a long way, hosting a wider platform of speakers that represent the world we live in. However, has recent events shown us that there are limits on this free speech? This controversy has undoubtedly raised several questions and concerns surrounding free speech and cancel culture. Whilst many will be concerned with political correctness at universities, Cleese, like others, will have raised the questions: has cancel culture gone too far? Are universities becoming too politically correct and is there such a thing?
Are universities becoming too politically correct and is there such a thing?
Though Cleese was looking forward to speaking at the Union, he took to twitter to declare his discontent for the ‘woke rules’ of the institution. He tweeted that he was ‘blacklisting himself before someone else does’ as he had also frequently performed mock impersonations of Hitler in a Monty Python Show in previous years. While Cleese had slammed the growing woke-ness of the Cambridge Union, his actions on twitter and withdrawal from speaking is a sign of acknowledgement and possibly a step towards an amendable direction. Nevertheless, with political correctness everchanging, it seems many will have to re-evaluate and re-educate themselves, keeping this change in mind.
Political correctness is without a doubt a topic of concern for universities across the country. As society grows and evolves, we are forever changing and adjusting our mindset in order to change culture for the better. Therefore, perhaps a solution lies in listening to others in this controversial time rather than jumping to a defence or labelling offensive behaviour as mistakes. Now more than ever, is a time for accountability and acknowledgement. Is it not more pertinent that society begins to make reparations rather than creating further disputes? Those who are entitled and privileged should be aware that previous behaviour may fall on the side of being offensive to others in society. If entitled individuals are not taught self-awareness now, then when?
