When accountability goes viral: The complexities of cancel culture

Graphic by Naomi Brown

In a society in which the internet can make or break reputations overnight, the practice of “canceling” someone has transformed into a powerful, polarizing tool of accountability. While cancel culture amplifies marginalized voices and sheds light on serious issues, it also raises questions about justice, free speech and the potential for harm. 

Cancel culture refers to the practice of publicly calling out or shunning individuals, often on social media, for offensive or controversial behavior. The roots of public shaming can be traced back throughout history, as described by Jennifer Forestal in “Social Media, Social Control, and the Politics of Public Shaming”. The practice gained prominence with the rise of social media in the 2010s, as online communities began to push back against public figures, brands and private individuals for their problematic actions. 

One of the first uses of the term “cancel” in popular culture was Lil Wayne’s 2010 song “I’m Single”, in the line “Yeah, I’m single / n***a had to cancel that b*tch like Nino.” To “cancel” someone became a common phrase, initially a generally humorous way to describe withdrawing support from a person or entity. As it became more widespread, it took on more serious connotations, particularly within the context of activism, including #MeToo and racial justice movements. 

J.K. Rowling, for example, has faced significant backlash for her comments on transgender issues, which many have labeled as transphobic. A particularly viral tweet from the author in 2020 denounced the use of inclusive language like “people who menstruate”. 

Rowling has expressed issues with gender identity debates, especially regarding the erosion of biological sex and its impact on cisgender women’s rights. Her statements led to widespread protests and boycotts by fans and former collaborators, though she maintains a significant influence within literature and entertainment. 

Serious issues such as racism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia and transphobia have deep social and cultural implications. Cancel culture results in significant repercussions for public figures who engage in this kind of harmful behavior. A notable example is Kanye West, who faced widespread backlash and calls for boycotts after making antisemitic remarks, leading to the termination of major partnerships including Adidas and Balenciaga

The response from the internet prompted apologies from the creators and discussions about accountability for influencers with large platforms. Cancel culture’s original intent was a tool for marginalized voices to hold those in power accountable for harmful actions, which have often gone unchecked in the past. 

Today, critics of the movement argue that it can lead to disproportionate consequences, stifling free expression or creating a mob mentality. While holding individuals accountable for their actions is necessary for social change, cancel culture can escalate to public bullying, invasions of privacy, or harassment.

In a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, 51% of US adults said that cancel culture tends to hold people accountable for their actions, while 45% said that the phenomenon tends to harshly punish undeserving people. While many believe cancel culture serves a beneficial purpose in society, a number of people fear that the mentality and practice have gone too far. 

Cancel culture can quickly spiral from legitimate criticism into harassment, where individuals are bombarded with online abuse. A notable example is content creator Golloria, who received relentless bullying, including death threats, for a TikTok post about a YSL blush. 

The video featured her swatching a product that falsely claimed to be usable for all skin tones, including darker complexions. Her critique of the brand led to such intense backlash from the internet that she temporarily stepped off the internet entirely. Golloria explained in an Instagram post that “the internet has become an increasingly violent space, particularly for dark-skinned Black women”. 

The mob mentality that cancel culture creates can be dangerous when unchecked. As we work to develop communities that are safe for marginalized people, we must consider the benefits and the costs of the social environment we have created. Cancel culture has its place when used to hold individuals accountable for harmful actions. However, there must be a balance between accountability and bullying. 

Cancel culture has succeeded in holding people accountable for harmful actions, but it can easily devolve into harassment. As society moves forward, we must balance the call for justice with the need to avoid creating a harmful, mob-driven environment. 

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