Cancel Culture

What Does Cancel Culture Mean?

The Quick Answer

"Cancel culture" refers to a form of public shaming or social exclusion in which a person (usually a public figure) or company is deemed to have acted or spoken in a way unacceptable to a certain element of society. The goal of canceling is often to withdraw support, which might include unfollowing them on social media, boycotting their work, or pressuring companies to sever ties. Cancel culture is criticized for being punitive, polarizing, and often lacking in nuance.

Origins of the Phrase

The term “cancel” as a modern social phenomenon emerged in the early 2010s and gained popularity in the late 2010s, largely due to social media platforms. It likely traces its pop culture roots to the 1991 film New Jack City, in which the character Nino Brown says, "Cancel that [expletive]. I'll buy another one." It resurfaced in the 2014 track "I'm Single Again" by rapper Lil Wayne, where he refers to "canceling" a relationship. By the late 2010s, "cancel" evolved into a form of social accountability that targeted public figures and companies for controversial statements or actions.

Prominent Examples of Cancel Culture

Some of the most well-known examples of cancelation are:

• Harvey Weinstein – The former film producer was "canceled" after numerous women accused him of sexual harassment, assault, and other forms of abuse, igniting the #MeToo movement. The allegations led to widespread public condemnation, his expulsion from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and ultimately a prison sentence. (Cancelation for sexually predatory and abusive behavior.)
• J.K. Rowling – The Harry Potter author faced backlash for comments she made on gender and transgender issues, which were seen by many as transphobic. While Rowling defended her views, significant portions of the public began to boycott her work. (Cancelation for TERF comments.)
• Kanye West – The rapper faced cancellation multiple times, but a particularly impactful incident involved antisemitic remarks he made in 2022, which led to public outrage and the termination of brand partnerships with companies like Adidas and Balenciaga. (Cancelation for antisemitism.)
• Bud Light The beer brand faced significant backlash in 2023, after partnering with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney for a social media campaign, sparking anger among some consumers who saw the campaign as too politically progressive. This led to boycotts, particularly among conservative groups, and even bomb threats. (Cancelation through obliteration?!).

Cancel Culture Is Not Politically Exclusive

Although cancel culture is often associated with left-wing activism, such as boycotting public figures for offensive comments about race, gender, or social justice, it is not exclusive to any one political ideology. Conservatives have also engaged in canceling, often targeting people or companies they view as overly progressive, unpatriotic, or critical of conservative values. For instance, the backlash against NFL players kneeling during the national anthem, the boycotting of Nike for its partnership with Colin Kaepernick, or (as mentioned above) the criticism of Bud Light over marketing campaigns seen as progressive, are just some examples of conservative cancel culture.

Perspectives on Cancel Culture

Cancel culture is divisive. Proponents argue it allows marginalized voices to hold powerful figures accountable, while critics argue it can suppress free speech, ignore due process, and create a culture of fear. Moreover, public figures often face long-term damage to their careers, sometimes disproportionate to their actions.

Image for Cancel Culture

Cancel culture is not exclusive to any one political ideology.

Summary of Key Points

CANCEL CULTURE
Definition:	The Withdrawal of Support from Public Figures or Companies for Actions Deemed to be Socially Unacceptable
Type:	Word
Guessability:	2: Quite easy to guess
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

Examples of "Cancel Culture" in Sentences

• They call it cancel culture. I say call it what you want, but right is still right and wrong is still wrong.
• cancel culture is all well and good, but without free speech we wouldn't know who the idiots are.

An Academic Look at Cancel Culture

The term "cancel culture" is a compound noun. It combines "cancel," a verb, with "culture," a noun, to form a phrase that describes a particular social phenomenon. There are three forms of compound nouns:

• Compound nouns with spaces (e.g., ingredient household, swimming pool, grey matter, fish tank).
• Compound nouns without spaces (e.g., shotgun, housework, eyelid).
• Compound nouns with hyphens (e.g., baby-sitter, laughing-gas, daughter-in-law).

Example of Cancel Culture Used in a Text

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