Cancel Culture and Vigilante Justice

Cancel culture is such a big part of online media these days. It seems that you can be cancelled for almost anything, even simple mistakes. With teens now having free access to a versatile set of social media, ‘canceling’ people who have offended them has become their pass time. The need for the children of this generation to post and publicize everything is something that I don’t think I will ever understand. Issues with each other should always be solved through proper communication between the people involved. There is no need to go straight to social media to vent in hopes of gaining more supporters for their respective causes. I think many people need to be reminded that there are global issues, such as climate change, that are much bigger than a teen being angry at their friend that needs the attention of the general public.

In no way am I trying to imply that cancel culture has no purpose. The concept itself is something concocted in an attempt to maintain a semblance of control for each individual – an attempt to keep those in places of high influence in check. I have to say, however, that there is not a single chance that the idea still maintains that goal. Author Nicole Dudenhoefur compares the hashtag of cancel culture to tarring and feathering. The reference strikes as a symbol of vigilante justice and, just like those who were tarred and feathered, a symbol of a deed that cannot be undone. One must realize that certain things can’t be taken back once they are posted online, and a teenager who has recently been exposed to everything that social media can offer is not someone who can do that.

 

Signing off for now,

Reality Sucks




Comments

  1. Angelina KMarch 17, 2024 at 6:41 PM

    I really liked how you compared it to tarring and feathering, a public show of shame. This highlights the deeper parts of cancel culture.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

I Want a Child

Image
Every gathering of Indian aunties somehow winds up on the topic of the success and failure of their children. It was at one such event that I overheard my mother’s friend speaking, once again, of her son’s latest success. I did not miss the bitter look on the others’ faces as she spoke. It then occurred to me that I too would like to have a child. I want a child who is responsible. My child must wake up before me, cook breakfast, pack lunch, wake me up, and ensure I get to work before going to school. However, my child must never be late to school, must stay on top of schoolwork, and graduate high school with at least a 5.0 GPA. My child must go to an ivy league because I have invested too much time and effort for anything less. My child should be invested in at least 15 extracurriculars, speak 5 languages (fluently), start a non-profit that is successful, and still have time to take care of me. I want a child who will take care of me when I am sick. A child who will take care of any...
Read more

The Ocean and I

Image
Where I’m from, there’s this little strip of beach where no one goes. Night after night, I would traverse the same untouched sand and would look up to the same stars shining down at me. On those lonely nights, the very ocean seemed to rage against the confines of mundane life, screaming like a wildcat to be set free. Other nights, it kept me company in silent, warm waves like a tamed house cat. I liked to believe that small part of the ocean was mine to command how I wanted to.
Read more

The Final One

Image
This year has been such a wild ride – both in terms of my classes and my friends. I think the best way to describe it would be to say that there was some drama and there was some trauma. Honestly though, I’m really thankful for so many people for getting me through the school year. First off, my parents. I have no words to explain how grateful I am for you guys. I know I don’t ever really tell you this but thank you so much. Thank you for keeping me accountable with my classes and grades (cough calc cough). Thank you for making sure I ate whenever I forgot to because I was studying. Thank you for forcing me to get involved with things other than school, which led me to making new friends and experience things that I would normally not. You guys are such an inspiration for me and who I want to be. Of course, I can’t forget my friends. Angie: thank you for keeping me company in chem and just for being your regular spontaneous self. You’ve literally kept me grounded all year with your...
Read more