Why Is Cancel Culture Political?

The Thin Line Between Accountability and the “Hive Mind.”

By Sofia Galarneau

Graphic by Melissa Lemieux

How many times in the past five years have we heard  “he/she was cancelled?”

No one stays untouchable forever. The same public that builds someone up can decide almost overnight that they’re no longer worth a second glance.

Although the phrase “cancel culture” is fairly new—first used in this context around 2016—it already has the power to make someone feel worthless and stifle a person’s livelihood.

“Cancel culture” describes the widespread practice of withdrawing support from public figures, institutions or brands—typically via social media—because they’ve said or done something deemed objectionable (Merriam Webster). It’s now a dominant force in popular culture. 

At its heart, “cancel culture” poses two questions: whom are we choosing to engage with, and does that engagement enrich our lives? Yet, in a world where we’re constantly online, the phenomenon feels ever-present, surrounding us, demanding our attention and ultimately exhausting.

In 2020, “cancel culture” felt deceptively simple. If a person behaves in a socially unacceptable way, then they risk losing their platform. However, as more people got “cancelled,” the culture became oversaturated, and society grew desensitized to it. This has allowed for certain people to avoid “cancel culture” and no longer be held accountable (for instance, Trisha Paytas, the notorious “uncancellable” Youtuber).

The principle behind “cancel culture” is valid, but it also exposes troubling aspects of online life that unsettle people. Those online took on a “hive mentality.” 

Rather than focusing on the individual’s wrongdoing, “cancel culture” became a tool for stifling growth instead of promoting accountability.

Popular culture reflects the emotions of its time. As political and economic times grow more uncertain and censorship rises, people are less concerned with whom they are watching and what that person stands for. Instead, people are craving pure escapism. Nowadays, “cancel culture” and the act of holding public-platform users accountable often feels overwhelming and heavily politicized. However, that does not mean that a form of “cancel culture” should no longer exist. 

Rather than succumbing to the “hive mentality,” people should scrutinize the individuals they are investing time in—examining not just what the individuals say, but the values they embody. Then they should ask themselves: Is this person deserving of my time?

The online space is so saturated that true “cancellation” is almost impossible; there will always be some segment of people who are indifferent to someone’ missteps and will keep supporting them. 

Therefore, instead of being a part of “cancel culture” in a performative way, focus on your own feed, and cater your content with people that will make you a healthier, happier and better person.