The growing movement is both popular and brutal in taking down prejudice
After riding a few career highs this year, including acting in Disney Pixar’s Onward, the last thing anyone expected was for actor Chris Pratt to be Twitter’s latest fresh meat. In a matter of minutes, Pratt went from being one of the most beloved in the film industry to being on the public’s blacklist and a victim of “cancel culture.”
The dictionary defines “cancel culture” as “the popular practice of withdrawing support for public figures and companies after they have done or said something considered objectionable or offensive.” However, it's become much more than that. Anyone who is unfortunate enough to endure this movement is constantly bombarded with abuse and harassment and scrutinized even more intensely by the media and the public.
If some individuals are able to emerge from this ordeal, they will permanently be scarred by this black mark on their status and will go forth forever having this deep-rooted fear that another wrong move could result in more ridicule.
The phrase “cancel culture” originated a few years ago from the idea of wanting to “cancel” celebrities over problematic actions, ranging from saying offensive slurs against certain communities to just being ungrateful, petty, and spoiled. From that moment, the movement was popularized, its brutality feared by all. Social media, a catalyst for cancel culture’s growth, is the main hub for fans to express their outrage and openly criticize celebrities.
After years of cancel culture’s development, it’s apparent that it has not been kind to its prey. From James Charles to Camila Cabello, this movement effectively and efficiently took down each of its victims, one by one.
Cancel culture’s essential mission is pushing aside so-called role models whose glittering reputations are nothing but superficial facades. They seek to create a better society for all by promoting equality and justice and denouncing hypocrisy and hatred. However, behind this movement’s bravado, its genuine efficacy is called into question.
For a social media trend to be so vicious, one would expect that it would have long-lasting impacts. On the contrary, once the rampage is past its prime, life continues normally. People return to caring more about pop culture and Instagram posts, no longer fueled with the fire to explosively rant about celebrities.
In that short period of time, though, the effects are cruel. Sisters Charli and Dixie D’Amelio, social media personalities and dancers, were under fire when they released a YouTube video of them allegedly being rude towards their personal chef and ungrateful about their privilege. The backlash escalated even further when a few days later, Charli D’Amelio tearfully confessed that she was receiving death threats over the video.
While her actions were immature, fighting fire with fire is completely unwarranted. No level of disrespect justifies being sent death threats. No individual should have to suffer harassment from a mistake being blown out of proportions.
It is obvious that the world needs change. However, promoting change does not come from petty bullying. It stems from an inner desire to be able to create a loving community, acceptant of all people. While cancel culture started off with relatively moral intentions in accomplishing that, it is not the ultimate solution. Finding the courage to stand up for what is right and uplifting others is what will ultimately take the world out of the darkness and into the light.
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Published December 19, 2020
Written by Mackenzie Chen ~ Edited by Deeba Mehr ~ Graphics created by Elwin Fu
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