Abstract
This trio of sources provides a comprehensive exploration of “cancel culture.” The first source delves into its historical roots, drawing parallels with the Chinese phenomenon of “human flesh search” and questioning the efficacy of cancel culture due to its arbitrary nature. The second source investigates how Americans perceive cancel culture, highlighting demographic differences and political influences on opinions. It underscores the division between viewing cancel culture as a means of accountability or as a form of censorship. The third source scrutinizes the effectiveness of cancel culture, discussing its origins, influences, and impact in the digital age. It advocates for a more nuanced approach to social justice issues, emphasizing the potential drawbacks of online shaming and using real-life examples to illustrate consequences. Together, these sources offer a well-rounded understanding of cancel culture, covering its historical context, societal perspectives, and implications for accountability.

Alyssa Elliott
Professor Skelly
ENGL 21001 Section L
13 November 2023

Critical Analysis Rough Draft

In the era of cancel culture, a single statement can be the judge, jury, and executioner of one’s reputation. To “cancel” typically means to stop or call off something that was planned or scheduled, and “culture” refers to the way a group of people live, including their beliefs, traditions, and everyday behaviors. When put together “cancel culture” describes a situation where people collectively stop supporting or associating with someone or something, usually due to controversial actions or beliefs. This often happens online, where widespread criticism aims to hold someone accountable through social rejection. It is something that has been around for a long time, but social media has turned it into a common occurrence. Many people argue that cancel culture is effective in showing that actions have consequences while others claim that it takes away a form of expression and freedom of speech. Then there’s the situations where certain people face harsher consequences than others for similar actions. Which leaves the question “how does cancel culture affect people and society, and does it genuinely hold individuals accountable, considering its impact on freedom of speech and open dialogue?”.

My first source titled “The Long and Tortured History of Cancel Culture” explores the concept of “cancel culture” and its roots, drawing parallels with the Chinese phenomenon of “human flesh search” that emerged in the early 21st century. It refers to a practice that started in China where internet users would collectively investigate and expose information about individuals, originally for harmless reasons. However, it evolved into a more negative phenomenon where the online community targeted people believed to be wrongdoers or morally deficient. Even though this practice was initially specific to China, is used in the text to draw comparisons with “cancel culture” in the West, particularly in the United States. The thesis or main point of the text is that cancel culture, despite being widely discussed and criticized, is not a new or unique phenomenon. Questioning how effective cancel culture is and highlights its arbitrary nature in targeting individuals for perceived wrongs. Stating “the sheer arbitrariness of some of the targets of cancel culture… lends a ritualistic distance to the attacks, enabling a casual cruelty.” Meaning that in cancel culture, some targets are picked without clear reasons, making it seem random. The attacks feel like a ritual, and because there’s not much personal connection, people might engage in them casually, showing a kind of cruelty. The text also discusses the tension between the desire for accountability and the potential dangers of a culture centered on public humiliation. Critiques the term “cancel culture,” indicating it already has a negative bias along with its lack of a clear leadership, making it more of a spontaneous expression rather than an organized movement.

In my second source “Americans and ‘Cancel Culture’: Where Some See Calls for Accountability, Others See Censorship, Punishment” the main point of it to investigate how people in the United States perceive “cancel culture. By examining the opinions on what cancel culture means, how aware people are of it, and the differences in views based on factors like age, gender, education, and political affiliation. The data gathered through a survey revealed that the awareness of cancel culture varies across demographic groups, with 44% of Americans having heard at least a fair amount about it. The survey also shows divisions in how people define cancel culture, with some seeing it as holding others accountable (49%) and others as a form of censorship (14%). There were notable differences based on political affiliations, as conservative Republicans are less likely to view cancel culture as holding people accountable and more likely to see it as a form of censorship. The article also explores opinions on calling out others on social media, finding that 58% of U.S. adults believe it holds people accountable, while 38% think it punishes undeserving individuals. Meaning that democrats are more likely to view calling out as holding people accountable, while Republicans are more inclined to see it as punishment. The article overall shows how people in the United States see “cancel culture,” where individuals are publicly criticized, especially on social media. The survey found that not everyone is familiar with it, and opinions differ based on age, education, and political beliefs. Some see it as holding people accountable, while others view it as a form of censorship.

The third source titled “Is Cancel Culture Effective” revolves around the examination of cancel culture its origins, influences, historical context, and the impact of the digital age. The author talks about whether cancel culture is an effective tool for accountability or if it tends to result in disciplinary measures without room for redemption. Throughout the article, various perspectives on cancel culture are presented, and examples from history and popular culture are used to illustrate its evolution. The discussion touches on the role of public shaming, it’s ties to Black culture, and the implications of cancel culture in the online world. The thesis suggests that cancel culture is a complex and debated topic, and the article encourages readers to consider amore nuanced and thoughtful approach to social justice issues rather than relying solely on the mechanisms of cancel culture. The role of public shaming, both historically and in contemporary times, is explored, along with its impact on celebrities and movements like #MeToo. The article also addresses the influence of the digital world, emphasizing the instant nature of social media and its potential to oversimplify complex issues. Examples, such as the case of Amy Cooper, a woman in Central Park who called the police on a Black man during an argument. She faced serious consequences like losing her job and legal trouble. This example is used to show how cancel culture can affect people in real life. The article questions if apologies in such cases are genuine and suggests that, despite individual cancellations, broader issues like racism still need attention. Overall, the article encourages a more thoughtful and nuanced approach to social justice issues, suggesting that creating positive change requires listening and understanding rather than solely relying on online shaming.

The articles discuss “cancel culture,” where people collectively withdraw support due to controversial actions or beliefs, often happening online. The three articles help explain cancel culture in different ways. The first one talks about where it came from and questions how well it works. The second one looks at how Americans think about cancel culture, considering different opinions and politics. The third one explores where cancel culture comes from, its influences, and whether it’s good for holding people accountable. Together, these sources give a full picture of cancel culture, looking at its history, what people think about it, and its impact today.