Understanding the dangers threatening the debate of ideas and art in France today.

An overview of the history of cancel culture, from its birth in American progressive movements defending minorities, and considered from the perspective of a much wider history of the censorship of opinions and works, enables us to understand the dangers threatening the debate of ideas and art in France today. The expression "cancel culture," while controversial, nevertheless describes a culture of censorship that is taking root before our eyes with the best of intentions.