What Does 'Cancel Culture' Mean to You?

From We are America the Beautiful blog on May 26, 2021

What does the term 'cancel culture' mean to you? Does cancel culture hold people accountable or is it a form of censorship?

Dictionary.com gives us this definition: Cancel culture refers to the popular practice of withdrawing support for (canceling) public figures and companies after they have done or said something considered objectionable or offensive. Cancel culture is generally discussed as being performed on social media in the form of group shaming.

Pew Research released a new study a few days ago on Americans' definitions and views of "cancel culture."

How do Americans define 'cancel culture’?

Actions to hold others accountable

  • 59% Liberal Democrats

  • 54% Moderate Democrats

  • 36% Conservative Republicans

  • 51% Moderate Republicans

Censorship of speech or history

  • 6% Liberal Democrats

  • 26% Conservative Republicans

  • 15% Moderate Republicans

Mean-spirited actions taken to cause others harm

  • 8% Liberal Democrats

  • 15% Conservative Republicans

People canceling anyone they disagree with

  • 5% Liberal Democrats

  • 15% Conservative Republicans

Those who are challenged face consequences like being fired or boycotted

  • 7% Liberal Democrats

  • 3% Conservative Republicans

An attack on traditional American society

  • 1% Liberal Democrats

  • 13% Conservative Republicans

A way to call out racism, sexism, etc.

  • 7% Liberal Democrats

  • 1% Conservative Republicans

A misrepresentation of people's actions

  • 4% Liberal Democrats

  • <1% Conservative Republicans

Pew asked if calling people out on social media was the same as holding people accountable or punishing people who don't deserve it. Here are the results:

  • 58% Holding people accountable

  • 38% Punishment for people who don't deserve it

  • 56% Republicans say the same

  • 22% Democrats say the same

  • 75% Democrats say this is holding people accountable

  • 39% Republicans say the same

The most common arguments on this topic are about whether calling out someone on social media is rushing to judgment or trying to be helpful. Some comments said that they "associate this behavior with moving towards a better society or educating others..." On the other hand, 35% saw this as a form of unjust punishment, overreacting, or not knowing the full context of the post. Some people said that what feels offensive to some is not offensive to others.

What are your thoughts on cancel culture? To see the full study with comments from many who were surveyed, click on this link.

WAATB BlogBritney AchinWAATB