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Cancel Culture : Necessary or Out of Hand?



From singers to athletes to politicians to YouTubers and celebrities, many individuals have been “cancelled” in today’s world. Celebrities and social media influencers face the “cancel culture” the most as a result of their controversial actions, opinions and statements, predominantly from their past. The concept of “cancelling” someone refers to their online shaming and public boycotting by the masses, usually on social media which results in them facing major backlash from millennials and Gen Z. Today, many believe that the biggest endorser of this cancel culture is President Donald Trump himself against anyone who speaks against him or his actions. 

History

The movement to boycott an individual and essentially shame them online, rose to prominence in 2017 when the younger generations began calling out celebrities and influencers on their offensive language and action from the past. This has resulted in the mass shaming of numerous individuals over the years. 


YouTubers, actors and singers are amongst the more commonly “cancelled” individuals. This is because of their use of racial slurs, homophobic language, support for contreversial political leaders as well as their ignorance of maters of cultural and racial sensitivity. During the pandemic, the pasts of many celebrities have been brought to light and an increasing number of them are facing backlash every single day. Some of the most notable celebrities include the YouTuber Logan Paul who posted a video of a man who had hung himself in the “Suicide Forest” of Japan, YouTuber Shane Dwason for inappropriately sexualising minors and racist comments, actress Vanessa Hudgens for making a statement on how people are over reacting to the virus as “death is inebitable anyways”, Talk Show Host Jimmy Fallon for blackface and Talk Show Host Ellen DeGeneres for the gross mistreatment of her employees. 


Many bollywood celebrities have also been cancelled for endorsing “skin whitening creams” that essentially promote the narrative that white and fairer skin is superior and darker skin is to be shamed off. Numerous TV shows such as COPS and Live P.D. for glorifying the police at a time where protest against police brutality has been on the rise and the Netflix series Cuties, for sexualsing minors and endorsing pedophelia. 


Opinions

Most people believe that “cancel culture” is something that is very necessary and essential for the betterment of society as it brings to light those who have made “inexcusable” mistakes in the past and the present. More often than not, when someone is cancelled on social media, they have no choice but to make a public statement of apology regarding the issue but the public don't usually see it as sincere. Those cancelled are usually met with immense backlash, hate, loss of jobs and mass hate. While many are eventually accepted by the public, most individuals are essentially “shunned”. 


Others believe that this culture is extremely toxic and injurious to both the individual and society as a whole as everyone is bound to make mistakes at some point in their life and completely boycotting them for it isn’t extremely practical. Today, most people are called out for their mistakes in the past dating even 10-15 years ago and it is believed to be redundant to cancel them for that as they can’t change what has already happened. It also makes it very difficult for those individuals to learn and grow from their mistakes as they aren’t even given the chance. Additionally, the predominant issue is that the people who cancel celebrities on racial or cultural offenses are many times not even of that culture or race or aware as to what the issue truly is. Many believe that today;s generation is too sensitive with regards to every single issue and doesn’t leave scope for human eros whereas others believe that this sensitivity is overdue and extremely necessary. 


One of the most relevant political figures in the cancel culture is President Donald Trump, both as someone who endorses and as someone who faces it. Ever since he began his political career even before he took office, he has encouraged the public to boycott and “hate on” journalists, fellow politicians and even celebrities who had spoken against him or protested his presidency and even for making genuinely offensive statements. Since 2012, Trump has been calling out individuals on Twitter and some of them include Trump urging everyone to cancel their subscription to Rolling Stones in 2013 for featuring the Boston Marathon terrorist Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, boycotting Mexico in 2014 until a Marine reservist who was jailed for crossing the border with loaded guns to be released for prison, Macy’s in 2015 for discontinuing business deals with him as a response to his comments against Mexico, Megyn Kelly’s Fox News show in 2016 for being too negative towards him and many more. 


At the same time, he has also been cancelled on multiple occasions for his offensive statement. He has received major backlash for his derogatory and degrading remarks against women, dehumanizing statement about immigrants specifically Mexicans, transphobic legislation and homophobic remarks, anti-black statements and general beliefs and plans for the country. It is ironic however that his administration has made statements that he doesn’t endorse cancel culture when he has been a part of it for many years. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has also been cancelled for black/brown face from his younger days before he came to office. 


Conclusions

While the idea behind cancelling someone for their offensive behaviour or statements may come from a good place of wanting to educate someone of their mistake, it has spiralled out of control into shaming individuals for the smaller rectifyable mistakes preventing them from learning and correcting themselves. Additionally, with regards to politics, it isn’t practical to “cancel” a politician as it's not as simple as boycotting a celebrity as they have much more power and say in matters. It is important that as a society we rectify and change our mindset and usage of offensive terminologies and inappropriate ideas as it is very easy to be educated of what is and isn’t okay in today’s day and age. We should be able to call out public figures and individuals in general regarding mistakes they have made, but it is also important that we are well informed if those mistakes or offenses are truly mistakes or offenses and that we give them a chance to apologize or rectify it where possible and appropriate. 


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