The Issue of Cancel Culture Considering Its Prevalence in Today’s World

Within the past five years, the rise of “cancel culture” and the idea of cancelling someone have become enormously widespread. These days people can be so quick to label others as bad people based on what they have done in the past or present.

For those of you who don’t know, the idea behind ‘cancel culture’ is to put shame on an individual and deny them attention, so that the person loses cultural status, subsequently ending their career or attempting to end their career.

There are many different reasons and motives behind the so called ‘cancelling’, but it is usually the result of a person having expressed their contradicting opinions on a controversial topic or having conducted themselves in a way deemed unacceptable to society, in a public setting.

On the surface, it may make sense. That people should be held accountable for wrongful doings, particularly if they repeatedly misuse others or their power. However, cancel culture has evolved into a powerful and harmful force.

Nowadays we see people coming out to ostracise other individuals on social media because of personal issues that are taken to the public. These issues that could have been easily been resolved with simple communication between the people involved. When taken to the internet, this is where it becomes harmful as these mobs of people, pick sides and attempt to destroy one another. If people acted reasonable and understood that at the end of the day, no one actually cares who you have ‘beef’ with.

The people who are under scrutiny the most include those who are in the limelight. Our political leaders and those in power – people of social influence. However, young leaders, like Greta Thunberg have shown us that by speaking out and letting our voices be heard give us an opportunity and the power to actually make a difference and cause change. These influential protests are strikes and demonstrations against urgen and important issues ranging from climate change to indigenous rights.

But what happens when these influential and commanding actions become directed towards an individual rather than the larger issue? This collective fight for a greater good turns into a mass attack similar to the principles of bullying.

A perfect example of this, happened earlier this year in Brisbane. Where Australia saw the devastating effects and impacts of cancel culture. Wilson Gavin a young, openly gay man lead a small crowd of people protesting that “drag queens are not for kids”. A video of this protest shortly surfaced online and went viral. The Video however depicted Gavin in contradiction of drag performers and people online were quick to share their disgust towards him and his role in leading the protest.

Unfortunately, shortly after the emersion of this video, it was revealed that Gavin had taken his own life. The news of Gavin’s death left so many shaken and upset. Undoubtedly, there was a pause for contemplation and self-reflection when it comes to realising the power behind cancel culture and the role we each play in it.

Mainstream internet activism now seems to involve calling out, blaming and shaming, but what room do we leave for people to be forgiven?

I believe that in order to become our best selves we need to create an environment where we respect the process by which individuals can reach wrong conclusions for themselves and correct their mistakes. It means the freedom to express our feelings and beliefs and freedom to give people the benefit of the doubt.

As we head into this new decade, we need to acknowledge and accept open apologies, have the ability to forgive not necessarily forget. But not forgiving creates a problematic and dangerous society where people will fear to speak their mind.

And with that said I should probably end the video here. The topic was quite a heavy one, but I feel its good to bring some light to these issues, and their effects on the mental health of our society. I believe that disagreement on different opinions should be discussed and encouraged and not shied away from, however we shouldn’t shun them based on whether they are right or wrong. Instead of ‘shitting’ on them, we should encourage them to see the right, to right there wrongs, and learn to accept apologies.