“Cancel culture” has taken the world by storm. In a new age where social media is one of the biggest influences of our time, it is very easy for a person’s actions to go viral. However, the path of fame on social media comes with millions of viewers watching your every move. The catch? One mistake can get you “canceled” in a heartbeat.
If you are unaware of what being “canceled” means in this new generation, it can be described as being rejected by society. The question we are covering today is not what cancel culture is but whether this new trend is beneficial or harmful. Some argue that it is great because it holds people accountable for their mistakes. In contrast, others argue that cancel culture is harsh and limits people to make mistakes and grow from them.
From Yorba Linda High School, the Mustang Business Academy teacher, Miss. Waltemeyer is currently teaching her Business Communications class what cancel culture is and how it could affect a business/workplace. When asked whether she believes cancel culture is good or bad, she responded, “I would say overall, there are two sides to cancel culture. It is helpful in the sense that it can hold people to a higher standard. Conversely, it can be taken too far when there are second chances and room to grow” states Ms. Waltemeyer (S). This is the perfect explanation for cancel culture. It is neither only good nor only bad; there are sides to this culture.
One notable example of cancel culture happened this past June with Colleen Ballinger. Colleen Ballinger is a famous influencer with a huge social media following, and she is renowned for her vlogs and online persona, Miranda Sings. Ballinger has been canceled for inappropriate allegations tied to minors on the internet. In this case, cancel culture is beneficial because one should naturally receive the consequences for horrible behavior.
Another example of cancel culture is when the actor who will portray Snow White in the new Disney adaptation, Rachel Zegler, was accused of slandering the character Snow White; Zegler was “canceled” since she seemed as if she hated the original Snow White movie and should be grateful for the character/role. In this case, cancel culture was a bit excessive because it is now rumored that Zegler lost the job for saying things that were completely harmless to the public.
So, is cancel culture good or bad? Miss Waltemeyer says, “At times, cancel culture has good intentions, but overall, in my opinion, it has become more harmful than good nowadays.”
“At times cancel culture has good intentions, but overall in my opinion, it has become more harmful than good nowadays.”
— Miss Waltemeyer
POWG • Oct 12, 2023 at 7:47 AM
Good, objective job dealing with a challenging topic. I wonder whether “cancelling” is a recent phenomena or, more correctly, merely more prevalent in the public awareness. Cancelling has always been around, whether it was through “shunning” or “dissing” those with who we disagreed. Whatever the matter, the “cure” may be to simply be careful how one expresses what they believe or what their opinion is, making certain to be kind in response. Keep up the thoughtful reporting.
Derek Truong • Oct 12, 2023 at 7:39 AM
I liked this article a lot because it was not biased. I enjoyed how you included an example of when cancel culture was both good and bad.
Megan Huynh • Oct 12, 2023 at 7:37 AM
I agree with Ms. Waltemeyer, cancel culture can be a bit too harsh sometimes.
Emma Safari • Oct 12, 2023 at 7:35 AM
Love the take you took on the article!
Jennalyn Urquico • Oct 12, 2023 at 7:32 AM
I agree! I think Miss Waltemeyer is correct in saying that cancel culture has good and bad sides to it. Great article!
Milo Martinson • Oct 12, 2023 at 7:32 AM
This article is so insightful 😀 I keep seeing stuff on Tik Tok about the whole Rachel Zegler controversy… I can’t help but be captivated by cancel culture! Although I do believe it does more harm than good. Holding people accountable is important… but some people take things too far 🙁
Rishika • Oct 12, 2023 at 7:23 AM
I agree, cancel culture is helpful in a way but for most part people just take it way too far. This article sums cancel culture up in a nutshell perfectly