Cancel culture is a form of public accountability where individuals are publicly shamed or denounced. Major reasons of why someone might be canceled include misogyny, racism, homophobia or other forms of discrimination, expressing controversial opinions and past behaviors that get revealed to the public. Amplified by social media platforms, the phenomenon allows users to quickly mobilize and bring attention to wrongdoings that may not be addressed otherwise.
On the internet, people have the option to remain anonymous. When creating an account and posting pictures or comments, nobody can know who is behind the screen, making it easier to spread hate online.
Due to this confidence, “people get way more bold because there’s no consequences, so they’re more likely to say some heinous nonsense just because they can get away with it,” junior Natalie Schmitt commented.
Some research suggests that the aftermath of cancel culture can lead to lasting change, such as boycotts or online social movements. Others argue that its effects are short-lived, with public attention quickly shifting to the next controversy within what could be a matter of hours, days, weeks or months.
Junior Reese Bockman agreed that part of what makes cancel culture so difficult is that “even if people are canceled, in a sense of it being part of cancel culture, they still manage to come back.” This message proves to be true with influencers or music artists with large followings like Chris Brown and Kanye West. Both artists have faced serious allegations that led to their cancellation. Despite this, they were able to come back due to their large followings and are still touring, making money and releasing music.
Cancel culture debates often intersect with discussions about free speech. Some argue that fear of backlash discourages the use of free speech on controversial topics, believing that they may be canceled as well for sharing their beliefs. Having these strong opinions or viewpoints is often not a good mixture within social media as people “get offended by everything so they tend to cancel everyone,” sophomore Olivia Slater explained.
Navigating controversies can be difficult with a constant spread of misinformation. Making an effort to find credible sources while also being able to distinguish the difference between facts and opinions is extremely important and a good skill to learn.
Bockman advised to conduct research individually and keep an open mind. One post should not be enough to influence anyone into making rash decisions or to choose one side of a controversy too quickly without taking the time to build an accurate sheet of evidence.
Cancel culture remains as a defining feature in modern discourse because it can be a helpful tool to call for accountability and social change. However, it also raises concerns about fairness and free speech. The challenge society faces is finding a balance between calling out wrongful behavior and also allowing space for accurate context, growth and redemption.
