Jaylin Smith

Professor Dissinger

WRIT 340

13 November, 2023

Cancel Culture

Cancel culture is a foreign concept to those who reside outside of the United States. It is a westernized concept which has gone on to hold individuals accountable for their actions, or lack thereof. This pervasive trend extends its reach into Hollywood, where global superstars are expected to be well-versed in myriad subjects, vocal advocates for every human rights issue, and meticulously cautious about their online expressions. The pressure placed upon athletes, artists, models, and those with any semblance of status is immense, often leading to a state where their every move is dictated by a team aiming to sidestep the grasp of cancel culture. However, while accountability is crucial, the current extent of this trend has regrettably begun to eclipse the essential process of learning and growth. The learning process is vital for the next generation of individuals who may begin to mimic such behavior, and our current system is stripping people of the ability to learn from their mistakes.

The term “cancel culture” predominantly surfaces in response to right-wing actions or speech, often spotlighting instances like the ongoing conflicts in Gaza involving Palestine and Israel, an easy target for those with a platform to face the wrath of cancel culture for perceived silence (Alvarez, 2020). Even on a smaller scale, if a figure like Kim Kardashian were to inadvertently offend a fan, the repercussions could lead to substantial backlash, construed as ingratitude and rudeness. We have witnessed numerous instances involving artists, such as Bad Bunny, who, when faced with a fan persistently demanding photos, reacted by throwing a phone (Lopez, 2023). In these situations, fans tend to point fingers at the artist for their actions, overlooking the fact that these individuals are human beings entitled to the same autonomy and respect as anyone else. However, fan communities often portray themselves as victims and proceed to “cancel” the artist involved. This behavior not only leads to damaging the artist’s reputation but also unfairly holds them accountable for actions that may not warrant such severe consequences.Regrettably, this culture of cancellation has discarded the idea of allowing individuals to learn and grow from their mistakes. The internet, instead of fostering a space for education and evolution, has become a place where individuals, especially those in the limelight, are afforded only one chance.

Fundamentally, the issue at its core stems from the pedestal on which society places those with a significant following. Be it an admired athlete or a fashion designer idolized by students, the elevation of talented individuals to almost deity-like status sets the stage for profound disappointment and subsequent cancellation when they fail. Rather than idolizing individuals solely for their talents, there’s an urgent need to distinguish between the art and the artist, fostering a culture that permits growth and redemption while addressing accountability without veering into the extreme realms of cancel culture. Similarly, the trend of celebrities “canceling” each other due to disloyalty or differing standards of acceptability is prevalent. Instead of resolving conflicts in a private setting, these issues unfold on social media platforms, where individuals publicly attack one another over personal matters. For instance, in May 2019, the beauty vlogger and YouTuber Tati Westbrook uploaded a 43-minute video titled “Bye, Sister,” which swiftly gained traction across YouTube and other social media platforms. In this video, Westbrook targeted her former mentee, beauty YouTuber James Charles. At the time, Charles had surpassed her in popularity and was held in higher regard. He promoted a hair company supplement that directly competed with Westbrook’s interests, prompting her to level allegations against Charles. She accused him of manipulating young men into engaging in sexual acts, questioning his character solely because he endorsed a rival company (Westbrook, 2019). This behavior not only perpetuates immaturity but also reinforces the notion that celebrities should be held to an elevated standard, which is simply not justifiable nor correct.

what happens when our beliefs are not aligned with the politically correct or widely accepted viewpoint? Do we courageously express our beliefs despite potential backlash, or do we suppress them out of fear of facing the repercussions of cancel culture? This dilemma is epitomized by the trajectory of artist Kanye West. Renowned for his multifaceted career spanning music and fashion, West has contributed significantly to the creative landscape, boasting a discography of 11 studio albums and establishing successful ventures such as the Yeezy fashion line, in collaboration with Adidas (Niedermeyer, 2022). Yet, his recent foray into political controversy has cast a shadow over his legacy. West’s remarks, including antisemitic comments that inflict harm upon the Jewish community, coupled with disparaging remarks against Black individuals despite his own racial identity, have sparked outrage. Adidas have made the decisions to sever ties with the artist for ruining the brand image. The question persists: how do we delineate the art from the artist?

Recently, Angel Reese, a standout in LSU Women’s Basketball, faced significant backlash from both social media and news commentators due to her prolonged absence from team participation spanning four games. This absence prompted media scrutiny about her current status within the team. Notably, Reese had previously led her team to the NCAA Championship earlier in the year, and the team had experienced growth in their NIL (Name, Image, Likeness). It could be argued that such success would lead to her inevitable fall-out, or that the success would motivate her to continue working hard. Social media reports indicated that she possessed a 1.7 GPA (grade point average), rendering her ineligible for sporting competitions as per the university’s guidelines (Close, 2023). Criticism took over, targeting her apparent lack of academic commitment and attendance, drawing comparisons to athletes like Joe Burrow, who successfully balanced academics and athletics during their time at LSU.

This comparison implicitly suggested that football players were known for their struggles in meeting academic standards. With this situation in mind, it is important to question the idolization of public figures and whether they merit hero status. The answer veers toward negation — celebrities and sports icons should be held to the same standards as any individual. Examples like Kanye West, James Charles, and Angel Reese highlight the fallibility of those with substantial platforms; they are prone to making mistakes, sometimes more significant than those made by individuals without such influence. Rather than resorting to criticism and spreading animosity, efforts should focus on leveraging these instances for educational purposes and advocating for improved educational opportunities.

The ongoing dilemma of balancing appreciation for an artist’s work with the acknowledgement of their flaws sparks profound introspection. It demands that we navigate the intricate landscape of separating an individual’s artistic contributions from their personal conduct or beliefs. Kanye West’s comments, undoubtedly harmful to various communities, amplify this debate on the dichotomy between an artist’s artistry and their character. This conversation extends far beyond West, transcending into a broader societal contemplation. It compels us to deal with the multifaceted nature of humanity — recognizing and celebrating talent while simultaneously holding individuals accountable for their actions. However, there are scenarios where the decision to “cancel” an individual seems understandable. Consider a circumstance where your favorite artist is revealed to be a perpetrator of sexual assault, and you, as a survivor of such trauma, find it wrong to support their work. In these unique instances, cancel culture becomes a tool to remove platforms and opportunities from those who have committed egregious wrongdoings. While discussing cancel culture, it’s evident that some individuals wield it as a means to target those they deem unworthy of public acclaim. Nonetheless, these specific cases underscore the nuanced complexities surrounding the intersection of personal experiences, accountability, and the societal perception of individuals in the public eye.

In education settings, we can begin to challenge cancel culture by instilling principles of discourse and dialogue in order to encourage a healthy exchange of ideas without shooting each other down. With the recent political climate, we have been quick to hate on one another and fail to listen to each other’s ideas or opinions, and go straight to spreading hatred.Students can even be taught how to use social media to their advantage and understand the importance of a digital footprint. Perhaps, checking with their parents, teachers, or mentors before clicking post, or, if they decide to share something that can be controversial, to be receptive to learning or educate themselves on said topic (Barile, 2023).

Furthermore, establishing a balance between accountability and forgiveness within the educational framework allows students to learn the value of holding themselves and their peers accountable for their actions while also understanding the potential for growth and redemption. By integrating these fundamental principles into the educational framework, institutions can equip students with essential skills to navigate conflicts, engage with sensitive or contentious subjects, and cultivate a sophisticated grasp of accountability, empathy, and constructive communication. Furthermore, instilling the notion from an early age that every individual, irrespective of their status — Recognizing our shared humanity underscores the universal nature of errors and fosters a culture of understanding, compassion, and learning from mistakes, promoting a more empathetic and tolerant society.

In the face of cancel culture or public backlash, individuals often turn to crisis communication managed by their PR teams. Apologies, frequently shared through platforms like Instagram stories or tearful videos, sometimes lack authenticity and empathy. These responses, rooted more in avoiding cancellation than genuine remorse, can backfire and worsen their public image. Studies stress the importance of crafting an effective apology, which involves displaying genuine regret, admitting mistakes, and expressing a sincere commitment to personal growth (Relative Insight, 2022). Most importantly, we are reminding today’s youth of the importance of recovering from their mistakes and contributing to an important lesson to today’s youth: that mistakes are a natural part of life and part of the learning process.

Cancel culture, predominantly observed in the United States, demands accountability from individuals and dominates realms like Hollywood. This pressure to conform often hinders personal growth, especially for high-profile figures who face amplified scrutiny on social media. The interplay between an artist’s work and their behavior, as seen with figures like Kanye West, sparks debates on balancing accountability and appreciation. While cancel culture penalizes serious wrongdoings, it’s criticized for neglecting chances for redemption. Encouraging constructive discourse and empathy in education challenges cancel culture, teaching responsible social media usage and emphasizing accountability alongside forgiveness for students navigating conflicts.

It’s crucial to avoid spreading ignorance and support causes sincerely, recognizing the limitations of individual knowledge. Ultimately, while accountability is crucial, understanding human limitations and promoting genuine efforts to learn and support is equally important.Cancel culture is a new way for society to hold other accountable for all their actions while also allowing others to see your process and disagreements because the cancel culture era looks for opinions and comments from the world to give their input on the situation. This action makes cancel culture so effective because the process of being guilty until proven innocent is a different scenario that us humans aren’t used to that feeling or process of when something goes wrong or a problem takes place, the story is already plotted and people already have their opinions about how you could have handled the situation better.

The celebrities and influencers highlighted in this discussion stand as compelling examples of individuals prone to making mistakes.Those in the public eye should comprehend the influence of their platform and their potential to effect positive change. Similarly, we must consider the underlying motives individuals have when allegedly holding celebrities accountable for their wrong-doings. Is there an ulterior motive, or do they believe that they should be punished? While they must still be answerable for their actions, they shouldn’t face severe repercussions or be unfairly “canceled” for everyday missteps, it is neither normal nor sustainable.

References

Alvarez, L. (2020, September). (PDF) Cancel Culture: the Phenomenon, Online Communities and Open Letters. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344512933_Cancel_Culture_the_Phenomenon_Online_Communities_and_Open_Letters

Barile, N. (2018, November 2). Fostering Healthy Classroom Debate. Hey Teach! https://www.wgu.edu/heyteach/article/fostering-healthy-classroom-debate1811.html

Close, D. (2023, November 30). Mystery still swirls around LSU forward Angel Reese’s absence as star is set to play high-profile game Thursday. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/30/sport/angel-reese-lsu-basketball-return-spt-intl/index.html

Insight, R. (2022, January 11). Avoiding cancel culture: the language of celebrity apologies. Relative Insight. https://relativeinsight.com/cancel-culture-the-language-of-celebrity-apologies/

Lewis, R., & Christin, A. (2022). Platform drama: “Cancel culture,” celebrity, and the struggle for accountability on YouTube. New Media & Society, 24(7), 1632–1656. https://doi.org/10.1177/14614448221099235

Lopez, J. (2023, January 3). Bad Bunny Cites Fan’s “Lack of Respect” After Throwing Their Phone. Rolling Stone. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-latin/bad-bunny-response-throwing-fan-phone-1234655208/amp/

Niedermeyer, E. (2022, December 7). Kanye West and Separating Art From the Artist. Woof Magazine. https://woof-mag.com/2022/12/07/kanye-west-and-separating-art-from-the-artist/