The cultural cruise control is a growing part of cultural appropriations and prejudices, which have always been a hot topic for numerous debates across the decades. Cultural cruise control is a concept derived from using racial slurs and expressions with no fear of consequences and with naĂŻve expectation that other people possess the same mindset (Sanchez, Chaney, & Manuel, 2017). In other words, people usually use highly offensive and discriminatory words in a humorous and comedic way without realizing that not every receiver of the message would find it acceptable. The increasing influence of the cultural cruise control propagates through online networks and social media platforms, which allowed millions of people to freely communicate and avoid having harsh societal consequences for their opinion. The internet has always been a place of free speech, where almost no rules and consequences are applied. Therefore, the implementation and propagation of moral and ethical statement mindfulness of the internet users are necessary to take a significant part in online presence.
In addition, I was also blameworthy of using racial and discriminatory slurs on the internet without actually meaning the real context of an expression. For example, N-word is commonly present in the numerous comments throughout the internet. The word is not necessarily meant in a racist way, but to describe and make fun of human failures. Furthermore, the R-word refers to a mentally disabled person, but it is also used to ridicule people’s mistakes and errors. The most popular cultural cruise control expression among young online users is an insult related to gay people, which is F-word. It is not meant to be used offensively, but in the form of making fun of men doing stereotypically feminine activities. The use of the given word might seem harmless; however, the user is required to be aware of discriminatory drawbacks.
The notion of cultural cruise control is widely present in the corporate culture of the multinational corporation, and especially, it is highly prevalent in the entertainment and social media industry. Many filmmakers and internet content creators live off making the socially controversial and outrageous product (Yoon, 2016). For example, popular hip-hop songs use the N-word to express their culture and address the problems of their environment; however, immature listeners might get an incorrect idea of using it to insult others. The potential consequences can vary from saddened minority representative to suicide committed by a fragile and oppressed teenager. Although it might lead to short-term gains and income, the long-term results are distress and tension within society (Jones et al., 2017).
The change in attitude and approach towards the issue is necessary to encourage people to become more politically correct and educated. The improvement must be initiated from the top; thus, company managers and directors are responsible for increasing awareness of the problem and promoting tolerance with mutual understanding (Yoon, 2016). For example, company CEOs can arrange volunteer or charity programs to help minorities and encourage employees by the use of bonuses and praises. The studies show that employees become more aware of their cultural cruise control problem when employers promote the desired behaviour with proper measures and regulations (Jones et al., 2017). Therefore, business owners and managers are obliged to implement effective controls and promote broader awareness of the issue among both employees and customers.
In conclusion, cultural cruise control is an issue that needs to be addressed, and it is a new form of cultural appropriation and discrimination. The most compelling solution to the given problem is raising awareness of this growing concept by bringing up the subject publicly and addressing it nationwide.
References
Jones, K. P., Sabat, I. E., King, E. B., Ahmad A., McCausland, T. C., & Chen, T. (2017). Isms and schisms: A metaâanalysis of the prejudiceâdiscrimination relationship across racism, sexism, and ageism. Journal of Organizational Behaviour, 38(7), 1076-1110.
Sanchez, D. T., Chaney, K. E., & Manuel, S. K. (2017). Stigma by prejudice transfer: Racism threatens white women and sexism threatens men of color. Psychological Science, 28(4), 445-461.
Yoon, I. (2016). Why is it not Just a Joke? Analysis of internet memes associated with racism and hidden ideology of colorblindness. Journal of Cultural Research in Art Education, 33, 92-123.