Inside the 'Needlessly Cruel' Cancellation of Kate Clanchy
A common misconception about cancel culture in the literary world is that if a writer continues to earn a living, publish work, and maintain public presence, they have not truly been "cancelled." Some believe that any consequences faced are therefore justified and proportional.
Travel writer Monisha Rajesh, a key figure in the criticism of poet, educator, and author Kate Clanchy, holds this view. When asked by BBC reporter Katie Razzall whether Clanchy had been cancelled, Rajesh responded,
“of course not. Everyone’s still talking about her.”
Rajesh also expressed no regrets about her role in challenging Clanchy four years prior. However, she later posted a tearful video on Instagram, upset that the Clanchy controversy had resurfaced.
Podcast Exploration of the Controversy
This resurgence occurred ahead of the BBC Sounds podcast series Anatomy of a Cancellation, hosted by Razzall and released last week. The six-episode series examines the complex narratives behind the events that led to accusations of racism against Clanchy.
This backlash followed the 2020 publication of Clanchy's bestselling memoir, Some Kids I Taught and What They Taught Me, by Picador, which earned critical acclaim and won the Orwell Prize.
Summary
The case of Kate Clanchy highlights the complexities of cancel culture, showing how public backlash can persist despite success and critical recognition.
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