Dec. 1, 2023

The Double-Edged Sword of Cancel Culture

The rise of the cancel culture phenomenon has held many accountable for their poorly made decisions and actions, however, how far is too far? By: Wee Yan Ling

In recent times, the concept of being “cancelled” has sparked endless debates regarding the repercussions that ensues for affected individuals, mostly celebrities at large. The phenomenon occurs when a celebrity or renowned figure churn offensive remarks, which triggers a public backlash that is fueled by progressive social media. 

The concept of the phenomenon has not been around forever though. It first surfaced in a breakup song composed by Nile Rogers back in the 1980s, Your Love is Cancelled. It was then used in the dialogue for a New Jack City film. Following this, celebrities have continued to use the phrase in music and YouTube videos. It amassed popularity when a comment about “cancelling” someone in a 2014 episode of a popular reality show, Love and Hip Hop. 

The seeds of the phenomenon was planted in popular culture, however, the mainstream resurgence of the term was propelled in conjunction with the #MeToo movement when renowned individuals such as Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey were in the face of cultural cancellation due to sustaining sexual abuse allegations. 

Though the intentions behind the cancel culture phenomenon is to punish individuals that have behaved in a way deemed unacceptable, it has gone too far to a point where it might not be considered morally correct anymore. Despite being able to address pertinent societal issues, the phenomenon has also given rise to the potential damage to careers and reputations. Furthermore, the mental toll it can inflict upon an individual can be severe, leading to chronic depression and anxiety.

Johnny Depp’s case serves as an exemplary example of the repercussions of cancel culture. Having been accused of domestic violence by his former wife Amber Heard, the actor had to face the music of his career being jeopardised. Depp was met with the outcome of professional setbacks, shedding light on cancel culture’s impact on due process.

The Ellen DeGeneres Show’s cancellation is another prime example as the series was met with an inevitable doom after running for 19 seasons. This was the result of reports regarding the toxic workplace surfacing after employees have broken their silence. DeGeneres’ family friendly image was then ruined as the reports starkly contrasted with the show’s motto, “Be Kind”. This shows that even renowned figures synonymous with positivity are not immune to the phenomenon.

Cancel culture’s effects extend beyond accountability, as it also breaches mental wellbeing and tips over the intricate balance between addressing wrongdoing and preserving fairness. As we continue to navigate through the implications of the phenomenon, it is salient to encourage accountability without compromising on the principles of justice.

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