By Ella Stone
If you have been on social media since the early 2010s, I’m sure you know about, or have heard of, Cancel Culture. The real question is, do people still care?
Cancel Culture, in simple terms, is a huge withdrawal of support from influencers or celebrities who have done something that we find problematic or not socially acceptable. Many times these people get canceled for things they have done in the past, more than them causing issues now, but not always. Now, this being said, cancel culture isn’t only a concern for people, but also popular brands like Urban Outfitters for cultural appropriation, or Aunt Jemima’s stereotypes.
People still get canceled today, but it seems like many people have stopped caring, saying that people are “sensitive” or “soft.” If you ask around, some will say that cancel culture is a good thing, that it can be used to combat racism or sexism. But does cancelling people really improve these issues? Delilah Rippee states, “I think if you don’t agree with the things people say, then don’t support them, but sending hate or death threats is making you no better than they are.” Which is true. Kill them with kindness, not their own medicine.
Recently, Tiktokers by the names of Alix Earle and Brooke Schofield have had previous tweets resurface and are getting tons of hate, but Drake the singer has also had allegations and issues with girls, but never was held accountable. Canceling some and not others seems to raise the question, are people rushing to judge, or trying to help?
When it comes to Cancel Culture there tends to be an unspoken pressure from the public for an apology. People always need someone to blame or feel they deserve the full story, and they demand that the person takes accountability. Those “canceled” make videos or go on podcasts they share and talk about what they have done. Some are better than others. For example, Colleen Ballinger (aka Miranda Sings) wrote a song and played it using a ukulele. People almost disregarded her apology as a whole and found it disrespectful, and thought that she may have taken it as a joke. Apologies have to be genuine, and saying sorry for a mistake that you don’t regret is often apparent and seen right through.
The aftermath often differs when it comes to each case. Whether their careers are over, or two weeks later people forget all about it, it still always raises the fear of people making mistakes in the public eye.
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