My Critical Essays

To Cancel is to be Cancelled PT 1

The Context of Cancel Culture

'Cancel culture' is the public condemnation of those whose words or deeds are considered to be immoral or inappropriate. It is a phenomenon that came with the advancement of technology and social media; it holds social significance as it has created social change throughout modern society. Holding people accountable for their actions and making others learn and grow from their behaviours. This social phenomenon delves into modern-day social exclusion and inclusion.

The phenomenon that is 'cancel culture' can be traced back to the rise of technological advancement. 'Cancel culture's' first appearance in pop culture was during 2014, in the reality show, "Love and Hip-Hop: New York", where a cast member had said to another person, "You are cancelled" after it was revealed that the latter had a child. The word then was taken to Twitter, where it was used to show disapproval for a person's actions as a joke or lighthearted criticism." However, over the years, 'cancel culture' has become a phenomenon that can be taken to extreme lengths. The 'cancel culture' seen more prominently today came into existence around 2017, after the idea of 'cancelling' public figures and others should have more immense effects than just telling someone off." By taking the paradox that is 'cancel culture' to the extremities, the more detrimental it may become.

'Cancel culture' excludes individual members of society due to said members' actions or words. Influencers and prominent public figures are kept under a microscope to be examined by the public eye to ensure that their actions coincide with society's beliefs and values through social media. This social change holds more influence on those towards the top of the hierarchy than those on the bottom. The social structure collapses with 'cancel culture' since the social hierarchy's inversion means everyone is 'humbled' and held accountable. By shifting the social structure dynamic, there are more opportunities for those low on the hierarchy to voice and advocate for change by sounding their concern. This action can be defined as evolutionary change; rather than the movement starting all at once, the difference had evolved from small movements. Moreover, 'cancel culture' fits into the description of evolutionary change as it is not always progressive and can sometimes regress society rather than progress. If taken too far, 'cancel culture' can be as harmful as keeping quiet on a specific topic.

Values are one of the bigger drives to why 'cancel culture' is pivotal in modern-day society. Most of these values come from the left-wing of politics; many values that direct 'cancel culture' are derived from politics and are among the driving forces as to why 'cancel culture' is more significant than it may seem. Hugh Breakey, a Senior Research Fellow in moral philosophy at Griffith's University Institute, stated, "All types of societies and politics can develop a 'cancel culture' when they use pressure and suppression to silence views they do not like." These values are typically associated with left-libertarians, as they are known to focus more on social issues.

Furthermore, political values influence 'cancel culture'; the integration of moral values in the phenomenon has impacted the severity and importance of 'cancel culture'. As said by Tina Sikka, Lecturer of Media, Culture and Heritage in the University of Newcastle, "Frustration with the lack of accountability, there is a claim to moral purity in some cases, a reflection of frustration with how certain groups have been able to say and do harmful things without consequence.". This with the increased usage of social media in society leads accountability to go from micro, meso level to a macro.

Continuities concerning 'cancel culture' are the epitome of the phenomenon. Without it, there would be no such thing as 'cancelling' someone. The rise of 'cancel culture' arises with a pattern: A celebrity or other public figure does or says something offensive. A public backlash, often fueled by politically progressive social media, ensues. Then came the calls to cancel the person. Without these continuities, 'cancel culture' would diminish in the public sphere as social platforms would stop. Once 'cancel culture' has been diminished, society believes social justice may diminish. In which 'cancel culture' is society's way to create progression; whereas much of the media believes that 'cancel culture' should have been abolished as soon as it arose, due to its injustice.

On a macro level, 'cancel culture' can sometimes be seen as unproductive and lacks the ability to bring about social change. This ties into the idea that social media believes influencers and prominent figures of the public are 'perfect' and therefore are held to a higher standard than those deemed 'normal'. By holding them to a higher standard, these persons cannot make mistakes nor voice their own opinions and beliefs without the fear of backlash. 'Cancel culture' only increases social exclusion at the macro level as groups of people face backlash for actions and words, leading them to have their careers taken away from them and their works and achievements to be stripped; discarded away from society. On the other hand, at a meso and micro level, 'cancel culture' is more effective in creating social change. 'Cancel cultures' effectiveness on the meso and micro levels can be caused by a small group of people advocating for change and accountability to another individual. By doing so, it is more likely that social change may occur, leading to social justice and increasing social inclusion of other minority groups and individuals.

'Cancel culture' risks social inclusion rather than trying to educate people and make their actions better; the phenomenon tends to ridicule rather than teach, excluding people for actions and words that do not align with the majority of societal views. Furthermore, 'cancel culture' includes minority groups and those who cannot speak for themselves. However, as cancel culture is a paradox, social inclusion cannot be increased without the detrimental increase of social exclusion. Those who are being called out for their actions tend to be public figures and influencers who greatly impact society. Breakey explained that 'cancel culture' "is largely driven by ethical values that support minorities (e.g., ethnic, gender minorities), especially in their struggles against institutional oppression and cultures of discrimination." Displaying the theory of 'cancel culture' is meant to include minority groups and give them a voice through social media; however, in practice, 'cancel culture' has done more damage than good, which has just increased with viralism.

Viralism and social media coincide with the increase of 'cancel culture' in society. With the mass consumption of technology, viralism has become more prominent than in the past, leading to more individuals being in the spotlight. The increase of usage of social media increases viralism, therefore increasing 'cancel culture'. Theorist Young Yun Kim believes that all human beings experience homogenisation as they move into a culturally unfamiliar environment and they do so by discarding their old self., meaning to feel comfortable in foreign surroundings is to conform. This helps us understand the root of 'cancel culture', and thus, understanding inclusion and exclusion. This is due to the fact that mob mentality is what binds movements and gives its momentum. Movements such as 'cancel culture', therefore, have a tendency to create both social inclusion and exclusion.

With 'cancel culture' on the rise, the dangers of social exclusion also increases. Tina Sikka stated in an interview, "mob mentality can develop" due to the increase of virality. Mob mentality has its dangers, especially with social inclusivity as many of the time, their voice is not necessarily their belief, but they believe the group values. Moreover, the mob mentality has a way to engage people in activities they usually would not do as they want to conform to the "societal norm". Viralism and mob mentality are a dangerous combination as the groups can be full of people from all over the world, leading to massive, uncontrollable 'packs'.

The rise of 'cancel culture' came with the progression of social media coinciding with viralism and has only continued to grow since. Values concerning the phenomenon are among the reasons why it is still going strong.