Joaquin Phoenix was right about cancel culture

Published February 10, 2020 3:49pm ET



When Joaquin Phoenix won best actor at the Oscars on Sunday night, he delivered an outlandish, if not unpredictable, speech. But after ranting against the consumption of cow milk, Phoenix actually made a good point about cancel culture.

“I’ve been a scoundrel in my life,” he said. “I’ve been selfish. I’ve been cruel at times, hard to work with, and ungrateful, but so many of you in this room have given me a second chance. And I think that’s when we’re at our best — when we support each other. Not when we cancel each other out for past mistakes but when we help each other to grow, when we educate each other, when we guide each other toward redemption: That is the best of humanity.”

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