Where some see calls for accountability others see censorship – Pew

Research Centre
https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2021/05/19/americans-and-cancel-culture-where-some
-see-calls-for-accountability-others-see-censorship-punishment/

Cancel culture, fueled by social media, has sparked big arguments in the U.S. Some think
it's about making people responsible, while others see it as unfair punishment for small
mistakes or unpopular ideas. The Pew survey shows these differences, with worries about
how it might stop people from speaking freely. Understanding cancel culture in today's
online world is a big challenge.

1) Public awareness of "cancel culture" varies across different demographic groups.

2) Overall, 44% of Americans have heard at least a fair amount about cancel culture,
with 22% having heard a great deal, according to a survey conducted by the Pew
Research Center.
3) Familiarity with the term decreases with age: 64% of adults under 30 have heard
about cancel culture, compared to 46% of those aged 30 to 49 and 34% of those 50
and older.
4) Men and individuals with higher levels of education are more likely to be familiar
with cancel culture.
5) There are no significant differences in awareness between Democrats and
Republicans.
6) Liberal Democrats and conservative Republicans are more likely to be familiar with
cancel culture compared to their more moderate counterparts within each party.

Among Americans familiar with "cancel culture," the most common definition (49%) evolves
around accountability, describing it as actions taken to hold others accountable for
offensive behaviour or transgressions. Some individuals (14%) see cancel culture as a form
of censorship, equating it with restrictions on free speech or the erasure of history.
Others (12%) view cancel culture as mean-spirited attacks used to cause harm to
individuals, often fueled by a mob mentality (a tendency of individuals to conform to the
behaviours, attitudes, and opinions of a larger group, often leading to irrational or impulsive
behaviour). There are also variations in how cancel culture is perceived based on political
affiliation and ideology. Conservative Republicans are more likely to view cancel culture as
a form of censorship compared to other groups, with some also seeing it as a means to
silence opposing viewpoints or as an attack on traditional American values.

The survey revealed differing perspectives on whether calling out others on social media
represents accountability or unjust punishment. Overall, 58% of U.S. adults believe that
calling out others is more likely to hold people accountable, while 38% think it's more likely to
unjustly punish those who don't deserve it.

Democrats are more inclined to view calling out as a form of accountability (75%), while
Republicans are split, with 56% believing it unjustly punishes. Education level also plays a
role, with Republicans with a high school diploma or less more likely to see it as
accountability.
Different arguments emerged to support these views:
A. Rushing to judge or being helpful: Some argue that calling out helps educate and
promote societal improvement, while others see it as rash and judgmental without
considering the context.
B. Productivity of calling out: Views diverge on whether calling out solves problems or
exacerbates them, with some seeing it as unproductive or toxic on social media.
C. Free speech vs. creating a comfortable environment: There's a debate over
whether promoting free speech or fostering a comfortable online environment is more
important.
D. Perceived agendas: Some believe calling out exposes social ills like racism, while
others see it as an attempt to silence dissenting voices or force personal views on
others.
E. Speaking up if offended: There's disagreement over whether those offended should
engage or disengage from the conversation, with some advocating for speaking up to
enact change and others suggesting disengagement to avoid perpetuating conflict.

Overall, opinions vary widely on whether calling out others on social media serves as a
means of accountability or punishment, with many acknowledging the complexity and
variability of individual cases.

What is the cost of 'cancel culture'? - BBC News

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-54374824

- Pavel Paulinich created a new page to ensure incidents such as racist behavior
across the US got public attention to form a "safe space" for those who filmed the
videos to publish them. The goal was to use social media to draw attention to these
actions, publicly shaming the people involved and ultimately getting the people
"canceled".
- Consequences for individuals: loss of employment, social rejection, and
psychological distress. It shows how public shaming can ruin both personal and
professional lives.
- Corporate Accountability and Reputational Damage: cancel culture affects
companies, which now face more scrutiny and risk to their reputation online. For
instance, when Goya Foods' CEO publicly supported President Trump, the company
faced backlash, boycotts, and financial losses.
- Ethical debates: some say it's important for holding people accountable and
achieving social justice. However, others worry it can lead to mob mentality, silence
opposing views and opinions, and ignore fairness and forgiveness.
- Examples:
● Pepsi: Criticized for a controversial ad that appropriated global protest
movements including Black Lives Matter
● Equinox: The gym club brand faced a backlash after it emerged that its owner
was holding a Trump fund-raiser
● Starbucks: Was targeted for telling employees not to wear Black Lives Matter
T-shirts and badges
● Nike: Released a shoe with the original US flag. The flag has only 13 stars
and comes from a time when slavery was legal
 ● Uncle Ben's: Changed its name and branding after criticism over racial
stereotyping

Why Brands Need To Pay Attention To Cancel Culture (forbes.com)

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kianbakhtiari/2020/09/29/why-brands-need-to-pay-attention-to-
cancel-culture/?sh=25b7e5c7645e

Cancel Culture: A social media phenomenon where individuals or companies face public
backlash (it involves withdrawing support) for their views or actions.
Impact of Pandemic: Increased online activity and social activism (movements like
#BlackLivesMatter) fuel cancel culture's influence.

Arguments Against Cancel Culture:

● Stifles Debate: Prevents open discussion and exchange of ideas crucial for
progress.
● Censorship: Risks removing historical content without considering its context.
● Mob Mentality: Resembles mob rule and lacks due process.
● Notable figures, including J.K. Rowling and Salman Rushdie, have denounced cancel
culture as promoting cultural censorship

Arguments For Cancel Culture:

● Voice for the Voiceless: Empowers marginalized groups to share experiences and
hold powerful figures accountable. → means of achieving social justice, providing
marginalized groups a platform to voice their opinions and effect change.
● Social Change: Can be a tool for movements like #MeToo and #BlackLivesMatter,
amplifying marginalized voices and driving social change.

Impact on Brands:

● Taking a Stance: Staying neutral is seen as complicit in today's polarized

environment, so → Brands can no longer remain neutral in the face of cancel culture,
as neutrality is seen as complicity.
● Consumer Power: Customers expect brands to align actions with their stated
values. → Consumers expect brands to translate words into action, with 64% willing
to boycott or support a brand based on its social or political stance.
● Empty Promises: Consumers are informed and can call out brands for
inauthenticity.
● Boycotts: A powerful consumer weapon against brands perceived as irresponsible
or hypocritical. → Consumer behavior is significantly influenced by brands' stances
on social and political issues, with boycotts becoming mainstream reactions to
perceived irresponsibility.

However, consumers are skeptical/cautious/desconfiados of brands exploiting societal

issues for marketing purposes without genuine commitment to change.
Key Takeaways:
● Brands must navigate the complexities of cancel culture → taking a stand is
imperative, but:
● Authenticity and action are crucial to maintaining consumer trust.
● Balancing social responsibility with avoiding performative activism is essential.

Cancel Culture Is Only Getting Worse (forbes.com)

https://www.forbes.com/sites/evangerstmann/2020/09/13/cancel-culture-is-only-getting-wors
e/?sh=3cf3712e63f4

Cancel culture, as described by some, involves unaccountable groups pressuring individuals

for perceived wrong opinions, often resulting in significant harm such as job loss. Powerful
voices on the left argue that cancel culture is not real, equating it with free speech and
dissent. However, critics argue that victims of cancel culture are often vulnerable individuals
who suffer devastating consequences.

Examples include a school security guard fired for using the N-word while telling a student
not to direct it at him and a teacher fired for failing to address a student by their self-identified
gender pronoun. Cancel culture has expanded to target individuals for attending events or
using innocuous language.

For instance, a professor was boycotted for attending a pro-police rally, and another was
placed on leave for using a Chinese word that some construed as sounding like a racial slur.
Cancel culture has even dredged up decades-old writings to target individuals, such as a
Boeing executive who lost his job over a 1987 article opposing women serving as fighter
pilots, despite apologizing for it.

Critics argue that cancel culture is not about free speech or social justice but about
wielding power to punish and strengthen group bonds. Despite its harmful effects, the truly
powerful, who can suspend and investigate individuals, seem to allow it to persist, possibly
out of fear of becoming targets themselves. Regardless of the arguments, the consensus is
that cancel culture exists and is escalating in severity.

VIDEO: Let’s Reframe Cancel Culture | Sarah Jones | TED

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8kr_V3fEGA&t=4s

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