The Harms of Cancel Culture

By Joseph Kim

Cypress High School

Cancel Culture is a form of boycott in which many people ignore, shame, and withdraw support for a person or entity. For instance, Jimmy Kimmel, a popular late night show host, has been canceled for racially insensitive gestures such as wearing black face paint to imitate Karl Malone. I will not be discussing the legitimacy of him being canceled; the question of if Jimmy Kimmel was rightfully canceled is another topic altogether.

"...cancel culture encourages a culture of division and separation because of the focus on negating entire individuals on one opinion."

Now, the general public has every right not to support a figure or company, however, canceling them can be counterproductive. This is for several different reasons, the first of which is, the collapse of any productive dialogue. A person is usually canceled for controversial statements, actions, or opinions he or she holds. Just because the general public disagrees with something a person has done or said, it doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t be heard out. I believe the person should be able to explain themselves and have a productive conversation as to why they said, or did something. To cancel the individual on the spot and effectively negate all other statements, thoughts, or opinions they have is shutting down any possible dialogue. Everyone has a right to defend the position they have but cancel culture negates any possible dialogue. Secondly, cancel culture is problematic because it encourages a culture of separation. The cancelation of entire people happens because this culture is built upon valuing our differences over our similarities. Cancel culture doesn’t extend to merely one opinion but rather cancels all the opinions of a person. I believe cancel culture encourages a culture of division and separation because of the focus on negating entire individuals on one opinion.  Finally, cancel culture is driven by the concept of mob rule. This trend is contingent on the numbers of people participating. Without the support of the masses the movement is effectively powerless. There is nothing inherently bad about utilizing the masses in a movement but cancel culture’s emphasis on division is what makes this scenario mob rule. Mob rule essentially says that the opinion of a mass of people should overrule the minority and if one does not subject to the opinion of the masses they face violence, intimidation, or shaming. Lois Chun a rising freshman going to Cypress High School gives her opinion, “I don’t think cancel culture is necessarily good, but there are people who have to be cancelled so they can see and reflect on their actions. Eunice Kim a rising junior in Cypress High School also gives her insight, “Cancel culture is wrong because it doesn’t let people right their wrongs and assumes people cannot change for the better.”

If cancel culture focused more on bringing people together through talking about the ideas and using the mass’ voice to propel an opinion that wouldn’t be a problem; however the opposite happens. The combination of these three points make cancel culture problematic.