Louis C.K.: Canceling or Celebrating?

Louis C. K., a widely known comic, came under criticism on Twitter after his return to comedy at Madison Square Garden in New York on Saturday.

Other entertainers, feminist writers and influencers on the political left brought up the comedian's success in the wake of past sexual misconduct as evidence that, in their view, cancel culture does not exist.

MSNBC columnist Marisa Kabas tweeted, "[L]ouis ck played madison square garden last night. cancel culture is not real."

Louis C. K. admitted to sexual misconduct against five women in 2017 in a statement to Fox News. He was accused of exposing and pleasuring himself in front of the women, among other things, all of which he claimed were consensual while admitting he took advantage of his power over them "irresponsibly" and subsequently felt "remorseful" for the hurt he caused.

Some commentators even bashed people who bought tickets to watch Louis C. K.'s comedy show and suggested they were supportive of his past sexual misconduct.

"It's really not that I don't like Louis CK anymore because he doesn't share my politics these days. It's more that he committed crimes? Sexual crimes? Against others?" Jessica Ellis, a director, tweeted. "Just really got to wonder if there’s any line, any line at all, that some people will draw against people whose products they like to consume."

Jessica Valenti, a feminist writer, quote tweeted Ellis and said, "The amount of replies & quote tweets here about how Louis CK was never arrested for anything is a good reminder that 'acceptable' sexual behavior for men isn't defined by what's moral—but by whatever they can get away with."

She then tweeted an article she wrote last year on the subject and said, "[H]onestly the widespread quibbling about what's ‘legal’ rather than ethical is the kind of shit that keeps me up at night."... (Read more)

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