Shame is an important tool, but it can be a deadly knife to someone’s reputation or career if projected loudly enough across social media. Cancel culture is widely recognized as a form of group shaming. This type of behavior could arguably be warranted in certain situations, such as when shaming someone proven to be abusive toward others. In this case, people are reminded to exercise caution around this person. However, when people think of cancel culture, the alleged crimes of those being called out are often far less severe. Jokes and offhand comments are often considered cancelable offenses, and this can put someone’s entire livelihood and career in jeopardy. In these milder cases, the punishment does not fit the crime.
Since cancel culture is based on people’s opinions and whether or not someone took offense, it is highly subjective. Because of this, it can be hard to have a good faith discussion about who is or is not most deserving of it. For example, after being called out and shamed over Twitter, Ellen DeGeneres claimed to be canceling her show of her own accord, but some claim she probably felt pushed into this decision to save face due to allegations against her character (Potter). Investigations into the set of her show and the working conditions of her employees may indicate that she is a rude and intolerant boss to work under. Keeping in mind that this behavior directly affected the people she worked with, one could easily make the case that it was necessary for Ellen DeGeneres to receive this type of backlash.
Other celebrities, however, have been canceled for much tamer offenses. MMA Fighter and Disney actress Gina Carano, for example, was thrust into the spotlight of scrutiny after posting a tweet about possible voter fraud after the 2020 election, then another one about how Jewish people were called out by their neighbors to Nazi soldiers during the time of the Holocaust. While these opinions may certainly be controversial, it was the overly harsh reaction on Twitter with the trending hashtag #FireGinaCarano posted all over Twitter that pushed a LucasFilm rep to fire her from her role on The Mandalorian.
Why is this phenomenon so prevalent right now? Why are spotlights being shone on even liberal mainstream comedians like Jimmy Kimmel and Jay Leno for jokes they had made in the past? Perhaps it is because the Internet, particularly social media, offers a sense of anonymity that allows users the comfort to say things which they normally would not face to face. Psychology researchers call this the ‘disinhibition effect’ (Suler). This disinhibition can be benign (like sharing personal details without fear of scrutiny) or toxic (like shaming and harassing people). For better or for worse, social media platforms rely on this sense of disinhibition for growth through public sharing. Some users can utilize this to gain notoriety through the engine of cancel culture as they leap to new trends and online mobs.
Even though shame is indeed a powerful tool that can be used as a positive force to highlight and curb wicked behavior, it is also often used harshly and unjustly. No matter what righteous indignation the offended may have, it is important to keep in mind how others’ lives may be affected by this type of aggressive behavior. Though some may deserve a level of scorn for their actions, it is usually more beneficial to forgive and let go.
Works Cited
Potter, Rayne. “Famous Celebrities Who Have Been Cancelled.” Parentology, November 10, 2021. https://parentology.com/famous-celebrities-who-have-been-canceled/.
Suler, John. “The Online disinhibition Effect.” TrueCenterPublishing, June 1, 2004. https://truecenterpublishing.com/psycyber/disinhibit.html.
What Is Cancel Culture
Cancel culture is a concept used to describe the increasing trend towards discrediting a person or group after hearing one negative comment about that person or group. It is typically associated with millennials, though some people use the term with a broader definition.
The word originated from social media, where a person will become enraged that someone had the gall to say something that does not coincide with their beliefs and respond with a large amount of rage and insults to defend their views. Those who subscribe to cancel culture tend to use it as a way to stop conversations or shut down arguments.
There is often a very thin line between fair criticism and cancel culture, as there is with any argument; it is important to remember that all opinions are valid, since without differing opinions there would be no reason for communication.
How to Write a Cancel Culture Essay
The purpose is to evaluate, explain, and provide criticism of the concept of cancel culture. Social media has become a tool to negatively alter people’s lives. Many experts and scholars have come up with their own theories regarding the phenomenon of cancel culture, while others have debunked them with alternative explanations. Whatever your stance is on the issue, writing a cancel culture essay sample requires keen research and analysis in order to give it meaning. In this article, we will discuss how you can write a cancel culture essay and make sure that it leaves a lasting impression on your readers.
Many elements make up a cancel culture essay, the basics of which include a thesis statement, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The thesis statement is usually found at the end of the introduction paragraph and it will articulate a brief explanation of why this article will be written in response to another article, or simply why someone must write this article.
You can find a cancel culture essay example in this article and explore the point and the structure. If you want to create another cancel culture argumentative essay example you need to research the topic and read all recommendations by experts. If you feel unsure about writing a cancel culture essay yourself, you can always look for professional help. The modern internet is full of professional writing services ready to help, and you can choose our writing service or any other. Professionals are ready to guarantee success and provide high-quality help 24/7.
