Nolasco, Paul Davenson P.

Andres, Markko Antonio B.

Aquino Jr., Ricardo P.
Santiago, Isaac Ernest
Valencia, Adriene Darryl F.
Sec: 355

Cancel Culture and its Consequences

I. Introduction

A. The "cancel culture" phenomenon has generated a lot of discussion in recent years.
Some claim it's akin to cyberbullying and has the ability to encourage violence and
threats against people or organizations who are under the spotlight.

B. While cancel culture is frequently seen as a way to hold people or organizations

responsible, it can also blur the line between activism and online bullying, sometimes
inciting violence and making threats. This raises important questions about cancel
culture's effects on free speech and responsible discourse in the digital age.

II. Development of the thesis statement

It is a controversial and divisive idea, but cancel culture has been credited with
exposing and resolving systematic injustices by holding people accountable for their
actions. It has raised discussions about how it may affect due process, free speech, and
the possibility of unexpected effects. It is still up for contention whether cancel culture
is effective at addressing systemic imbalances.

A. The protection of the principles of free expression and individual rights

must be balanced with the development of responsibility.

1. Systemic inequalities have been exposed and addressed in large part

thanks to cancel culture. It has resulted in the dismissal of people who
have used their platforms to spread prejudice, hate speech, or harm to
marginalized communities. (Yousef, 2021)

2. Public personalities have been urged by cancel culture to broaden their

knowledge and perspective. Many people have openly expressed
 regret, taken responsibility for their actions, and vowed to do better
moving forward.

3. Critics claim that our culture lacks proportionality and frequently

imposes severe penalties that are inappropriate for the offense.

4. While there may be instances of overreach, rather than completely

rejecting the accountability process, attention should be paid to its
improvement. To ensure that wrongdoers receive fair punishment,
cancel culture can be improved. (Bell, 2019)

B. Online bullying towards public speaking

1. The internet provides temporal and spatial fluidity to cancel culture

since tweets, interviews, posts, etc. can be dug up, often from decades
in the past, and used to ‘cancel’ individuals through a process in which
people across the world can collectively participate.(Bharati, 2020)

2. Cancel culture is simply a new form of boycott, a cherished tactic in

the civil rights movement, to bring about social change.

3. Callout culture amounts to online bullying, and can incite violence and
threats even worse than the original offense being called out.

4. The people have the opinion of themselves and we cannot control the
people. But we can guide the people to a bully free cancellation.

C. Cancel Culture, not unlike cyberbullying, has also had its more
“innocent” victims, ordinary citizens who said unacceptable things in
public forums. (Chi Luu, 2019)

1. The culture is not always successful because some individuals face

long-term termination while others only receive a warning. (Amir
Vera, CNN)Agavaga
2. For instance, due to his legal dispute with his ex-wife Amber Heard,
which drew harsh criticism after Heard accused him of domestic
abuse, Johnny Depp believes he is a victim of the culture of
victimization.
 3. Cancel culture affects many people even though they aren't technically
canceled, and it works best against those who are still on the rise in
their fields. The
4. Though the victimized celebrity may become popular as a result of
culture, individuals who were oppressed will always carry the guilt
and unjust charges inflicted on them by the public and its perception of
the defenseless victim.

III. Conclusion

In conclusion, cancel culture is a complicated and divisive issue. Some see it as a successful
way to hold people responsible for their hurtful comments and deeds, especially when it
comes to tackling systemic injustices and advancing social justice. Others, however, voice
concerns about how it will affect free speech, due process, and the possibility of unfair
outcomes. The controversy surrounding cancel culture emphasizes the need for a complex
and considerate strategy to tackle societal challenges. It is still difficult to strike a balance
between the need to stop discrimination, hate speech, and harm to vulnerable people and the
rights to free expression, fairness, and due process.

Call to action

1. Encourage active listening and empathy since having a thorough awareness of various
viewpoints will help you have more fruitful conversations.
2. Encourage others to take the initiative and learn more about bias, discrimination, and
underprivileged communities.
3. Insist on the necessity of fully examining accusations and giving people the chance to
respond before repercussions are applied.
4. Encourage people and communities to look for ways to mend fences and make
atonement when wrong is done.
References:

May, M. (2023, March 4). Cancel culture: The pros and cons. TheSocialTalks.
https://thesocialtalks.com/blog/cancel-culture-the-pros-and-cons/

Lingping, C. Y. and C., Tewari, A., & Jamila Venturini and María Paz Canales. (2018,
September 30). Seven questions unpacking cancel culture. Bot Populi.
https://botpopuli.net/unpacking-cancel-culture/

Wong, K. (n.d.). Your voice: Cancel culture or cyberbullying, and how to stay
connected during covid. Young Post.
https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/your-voice/letters-editors/article/3167493/your-
voice-fine-line-between-cancel-culture

Rakshit, D. (2023, April 11). Cancel culture is canceled. Meet Accountability Culture.
The Swaddle. https://theswaddle.com/cancel-culture-is-canceled-meet-accountability-
culture/