The Times published an article today about so-called “cancel culture”, aka powerful people being criticised by marginalised people, and gave examples of the kind of wonderful humans whose careers have supposedly suffered as a result of it. The list includes some truly awful people.

For example:

The singer R Kelly’s career was damaged hugely after he was cancelled for allegations of sexual misconduct

R Kelly is in prison facing 22 criminal charges relating to the abuse of 11 girls and women over the course of more than two decades in what prosecutors describe as an organised crime ring. He also faces separate charges for sexual assault and abuse, and multiple civil suits from other women.

The piece is a spectacular own goal because it says the quiet bit out loud: some of the loudest voices against “cancel culture” believe that we should care more about the reputations and careers of celebrities than the marginalised people they harm.