Simple
definition:
Sometimes 'empty gestures' are important, as their absence indicates trouble.
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Nuanced
definition:
Empty gestures and window dressing, while not
true indicators of sincerity, are at least visible symbols of support. Even if they weren't creating meaningful
change, the lack of visible support becomes a warning of shifting sentiment when it is withdrawn.
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Full explanation:
Originally coined in a Reddit thread, "the canary isn’t there to help dig coal" is a response to a memed discussion about "rainbow capitalism."
The meme quotes a
Tumblr user as saying "I miss rainbow capitalism. I do. I miss when it felt like public
opinion was still pro gay. I understand it was always an empty gesture, but it mattered in a sense of knowing how socially acceptable being
queer is. If that makes sense."
In their response, the Reddit user said "'Rainbow capitalism is just performative', yeah well, the canary isn’t there to help dig coal."
They are accepting the assertion and adding that, while some actions display sentiments the performer doesn't actually believe, those action at least serve the function of normalizing ideas.
While it's not the hard
work of "digging coal" (truly changing hearts and minds), showing and failing to show such displays are indicators of general acceptance rising or falling (if the canary dies, things are going poorly).
