Cancel Culture Almost Caught This Comedian in Shreveport

At one point in Shreveport's history, the city was a magnet for movie making. Productions were set up all over town, writers and directors were coming and going, and you could run into recognizable actors at various local establishments. The city was bustling with the entertainment industry.

Obviously, that has ended. Even though there are constant promises that it will return, we're still left with just memories of what it was, and dreams of what it could be again.

But hidden inside those great memories, and tales that weren't so great. Stories that are hidden just below the glitzy surface of positive memories. Like the time a fading star attempted to drag down a more successful former co-star, based on a joke told in Shreveport.

Back in 2017, decade-old encounter was resurrected by little-known actress and comedian Charlyne Yi. This was in the depths of 2017's "cancel culture" outburst, and paints a murky picture of an alleged racial transgression by Emmy Award winner David Cross.

The incident, said to have occurred in a Shreveport bar, became a flashpoint, illustrating the power of social media to amplify accusations and the potential for reputations to be irrevocably damaged without due process.

Yi's public indictment of Cross, delivered via Twitter, alleged racially insensitive comments. This accusation, timed perfectly for the peak of online outrage and the rise of "cancel culture", ignited a firestorm. The narrative was amplified by social media's echo chamber and casting Cross as a perpetrator, and Yi as a victim.

However, the account lacked concrete evidence, relying heavily on subjective interpretation and the prevailing climate of online condemnation. Cross's attempts to explain his behavior, including attributing it to a character he was developing, were met with swift and merciless dismissal. The online mob, fueled by righteous indignation, demanded contrition and accountability, leaving little room for nuance or context.

The subsequent deletion of Yi's tweets, while potentially a sign of private resolution, raises further questions. It begs the question: was the initial accusation a genuine grievance, or a calculated move to leverage the power of "cancel culture" for personal gain? The lack of transparency and the abrupt disappearance of the evidence leave a lingering sense of unease.

This incident underscores the inherent dangers of "cancel culture", where accusations, regardless of their veracity, can lead to swift and irreversible consequences. It highlights the potential for social media to be weaponized, transforming personal disputes into public spectacles and leaving reputations in tatters. The ambiguity surrounding the Shreveport encounter serves as a stark reminder of the need for critical thinking and a healthy skepticism in the face of online outrage, lest we allow the digital mob to become judge, jury, and executioner.

Additional evidence to support Cross, is that the usual outcome of consequences from a legitimate issue like this, haven't happened. The worst thing that impacted Cross is when is wife, actress Amber Tamblyn, scolded him publicly across various publications. But his career has rolled on.

In fact, both Yi and Cross appeared in a movie together after Yi made these public comments. The 2019 movie Next Gen feature voice roles from Yi and Cross.

For further context on Yi, David Cross isn't the only one that has come under the accusation assault. Yi has accused a laundry list of celebrities of various different perceived wrongdoings. Including Seth Rogen, Marilyn Manson, as well as "unnamed actors" that have been investigated only to be labeled as "unsubstantiated".