The Rise of Cancel Culture: A Modern Look at "Good Night and Good Luck"

Based on true events, the 2005 film "Good Night and Good Luck" follows journalist and CBS broadcaster Edward Murrow as he faces off against Senator Joseph McCarthy during the height of the Red Scare as McCarthyism runs rampant in the United States. Murrow uses his television program "See It Now" to inform U.S. citizens about what is going on in their own country, which their government doesn't want them to know. 

The movie dives into the role of the government in censoring and silencing the media. With communist accusations running wild at the CBS studio, Murrow stays strong and continues to fight against McCarthy in order to show the corruption behind not only McCarthy but the United States government as a whole. Those above Murrow, as well as government officials, threaten and try to pressure Murrow to back down, but her refuses as he bands together with fellow reporters and editors to expose McCarthy.

Murrow is one of the few journalists that have seemed to be somewhat successful in standing up against censorship. Government control runs deep in our media and therefore our society. This problem seems to only get worse as we move forward. 

With the movie set over 70 years in the past, we face the exact same issues today, even on a bigger scale. Whenever Professor Smith asked our class about some of the true goings-on concerning U.S. soldiers in other countries or some of the truth behind government scandals, we had no answers or information. 

The biggest example over the course of the semester was the issue of the Russian-Ukrainian War. Our government pushed the idea that it was entirely Russia's fault, but the small detail is left out that we may have had a hand in it as well. Although I am not one devoted to learning about current events, some of my classmates are much more connected, and even they hadn't been exposed to the "truth." That speaks volumes about the government control of the media here in 2023. 

Although the phenomenon known as "McCarthyism" technically no longer exists, a similar movement has arisen, proving that we are in a similar position (arguably worse) as the 1950s, maybe more than we would like to admit. 

Cancel Culture is a relatively modern idea that has been able to spread as quickly as it did thanks to technology and social media. It entails someone in the spotlight or in a position of power doing or saying something considered offensive that garners outrage and causes them to lose their following, be boycotted by the media, and/or generally create a massive hate movement against the individual. 

While sometimes cancel culture can be beneficial as some celebrities can be genuinely problematic and don't deserve a following of any kind like how famous rapper Kanye West has officially been "canceled" due to his sharing hate speech, anti-semitism, and erratic behavior. 

On the other hand, there are countless examples of celebrities or people of power being "canceled" for small mistakes or issues dug up from their past or personal life. The media will jump down their throat in an instant carrying torches and pitchforks insisting they should lose the status they have achieved. 

Similar to Joseph McCarthy's listing of names of those who are apparently part of the Communist party and should be blackballed in their respective field no matter if it was true or not, cancel culture upholds a similar ideal. In the case of world-famous actress Lucille Ball and McCarthyism, the iconic redhead was registered with the Communist party purely because of her family's opinions, but was never an official part of the group, nor did she actively uphold any of the ideas. However, when this news hit the media at the height of her career, her reputation and career were almost ruined if her husband and creative team hadn't stepped in to defend her. 

Celebrities today are in constant fear of losing their status because of a slip-up or possibly something as simple as their family's opinions, much like the fear that spread during the Red Scare. 

Something I think everyone should be scared of? How much our country has seemed to stay the same since the time of "Good Night and Good Luck" in regards to government and the media. 

The Publishing Pioneer in Pearls: The Life and Legacy of Katherine Graham

Katherine "Kay" Graham was a remarkable woman who played an instrumental role in shaping the modern American press. As the publisher of The Washington Post, Graham oversaw one of the most influential newspapers of the twentieth century, and her leadership allowed the paper to gain national recognition. 

Born in 1917 in New York City, Graham was the daughter of Eugene Meyer, a prominent financier and former chairman of the Federal Reserve. She attended the exclusive all-girls Madeira School in Virginia and then went to study at The University of Chicago, where she earned her bachelor's degree in history in 1938.

After college, Graham worked briefly as a reporter for the San Francisco News and then returned to New York to work for her father's newspaper, The Washington Post. Meyer had purchased the paper in 1933, and it was under his ownership that the paper first gained a reputation for its hard-hitting investigative reporting. 

In 1940, Graham married Philip Graham, a Harvard Law School graduate who would later become the president of The Washington Post Company. Together they had four children and Graham would later write truthfully about how she balanced motherhood with her demanding professional life. 

In 1963, Philip Graham committed suicide, leaving Katherine in charge of The Washington Post Company. At the time, the paper was struggling financially and only have a limited national readership. But Graham was determined to turn the paper around. She quickly started hiring top-notch journalists and investing in new technology to improve production value.

Under Graham’s leadership, The Washington Post became one of the most respected newspapers in the country. The paper's coverage of the Watergate scandal in the early 1970s, which ultimately led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon, is regarded as one of the largest triumphs of investigative journalism. And Graham's decision to publish the Pentagon Papers, a secret government study of the Vietnam War, helped establish the paper as a leader in the freedom of the press movement.

Set in the 1970s, during the height of the Vietnam War, the 2017 film "The Post" follows the journey of how Graham and her team fought to publish the Pentagon Papers. Meryl Streep captures her grace and intelligence through her nuanced and powerful performance. She brings a vulnerability to the character as well as a kind of quiet strength.

Graham's impact on the media world went far beyond The Washington Post. She was one of the first women to hold a top leadership position in a major American media company, and her success paved the way for other women to follow in her footsteps. 

In addition to The Washington Post, Graham was a tireless advocate for various social and political issues. She was a strong supporter of the civil rights movement, and she used her platform to speak out against discrimination and inequality. She was also passionate about women's rights, and she helped contribute to the Women's Action Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting gender equality. 

Graham's legacy is a reminder of the ongoing struggle for gender equality in the workplace. Despite her many achievements, Graham faced numerous challenges and obstacles in the male-dominated field. Even today, women continue to face discrimination and bias in many industries, including journalism. 

In 1991, Graham passed away at the age of 84. Her death was mourned by journalists and political leaders alike, who recognized her contributions to the American public and her commitment to the truth. 

Today, Katherine Graham's legacy lives through The Washington Post, which remains one of the most respected and influential newspapers in the world. Her story is a reminder that with determination and courage, you can overcome even the most daunting challenges.

Graham once wrote, "To love what you do and feel that it matters -- how could anything be more fun?" Her passion for journalism continues to inspire writers and readers today.