What is the end result of holding people accountable for their actions? According to Joe Rogan, it'd be the silencing of straight White men over their privilege.
On an episode of his podcast, which is the most listened to show on most podcasting platforms, Rogan claimed "you can never be woke enough" and eventually things would get to the point where "straight White men are not allowed to talk."
This obviously left many online incredulous at his claim.
Joe Rogan on "woke culture" https://t.co/2LLaEWFRLX— Viral Sports (@Viral Sports) 1621186723.0
BREAKING: Straight white man Joe Rogan, who hosts one of the most popular podcasts in the world, warns that due to… https://t.co/F5uJHg7aEq— James Fell (@James Fell) 1621351809.0
@nypost No they're not. Another stupid comment by Joe Rogan. If that were the case, he wouldn't have a show.— David Veloz (@David Veloz) 1621344235.0
My disdain for Joe Rogan grows by the day. No, straight white men aren't being silence even though some days I wish… https://t.co/qySvLHkj4N— Adam (@Adam) 1621371070.0
He said "white men are being silenced" on his own podcast, which was downloaded 190 million times a month, and for… https://t.co/skZsQG5AW2— Ken Tremendous (@Ken Tremendous) 1621372935.0
Rogan, who last year signed a $100 million contract with Spotify that ensures his podcast will be on the air and heard for years, lamented cancel culture silencing people like him.
He said:
"You can never be woke enough that's the problem, it keeps going. It keeps going further and further down the line and if you get to the point where you capitulate and you agree to all these demands it'll eventually get to where straight white men are not allowed to talk because it's your privilege to express yourself when other people of color have been silenced throughout history."
And just to hammer the point home that he wasn't joking, he said:
"I'm not joking. It really will get there."
The idea of "cancel culture" as some boogieman coming to end people's careers has been an ongoing discussion for some time. While some might see it as an imminent threat coming for your ability to speak, others see it as the logical consequence of a person's actions.
If so, is there another reason Rogan might have for frothing the fear in people over being canceled?
Internet commenters say yes.
joe rogan’s grift is a microcosm of US foreign policy 1. create a threat that doesn’t exist 2. capitalize off o… https://t.co/1B7nnQP5r0— hyper relevisation (@hyper relevisation) 1621350989.0
When guys like Joe Rogan say they won’t be allowed to speak, what they means is “I’m used to being the oppressor, a… https://t.co/sPLHY9N8L6— Read Mutual Aid by Dean Spade (@Read Mutual Aid by Dean Spade) 1621349891.0
Respectfully, I would argue that not being allowed to talk is the exact opposite of the problem joe rogan has https://t.co/JR7BrmXjby— Becca Lewis (@Becca Lewis) 1621306489.0
The biggest issue with Joe Rogan isn't bigotry or toxic masculinity or whatever, it's that he constantly holds hims… https://t.co/JHKZn7u60K— Q. Anthony (FKA Andray Domise) 🇵🇸 (@Q. Anthony (FKA Andray Domise) 🇵🇸) 1621349225.0
Rogan is no stranger to controversy, and one might even say he thrives on it. Just recently, he came under fire for suggesting a healthy 21-year-old shouldn't bother getting the vaccine for the current pandemic.
After being criticized, Rogan walked back his comments, saying he agrees with the argument young, healthy people should get the vaccine to prevent the spread to other people, "but that's a different argument."
He continued by stressing he is not a doctor and shouldn't be listened to for scientific advice.
The idea a man who got $100 million for his podcast, and can platform pretty much anyone at any time he chooses would complain about being silenced became a huge joke.
The irony was apparently lost on Rogan.
I never knew Joe Rogan was, well, like this. He seemed okay when he hosted that show where people ate bugs.— mike freeman (@mike freeman) 1621292126.0
I've said it a hundred times and I'll continue saying it until people realize it's the truth: "Joe Rogan is Oprah… https://t.co/3eM91NHtzD— Just George Oh 🍥 (@Just George Oh 🍥) 1621353613.0
Rogan's controversy extends past himself and to his guests, which have included such controversial figures as Gavin McInnes, the founder of the Proud Boys, and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones.