Lauren Kingston
01 April 2022
Does cancel culture threaten free speech?
Discuss using examples of cases of cancel culture.
‘Cancel culture’ is defined as the societal boycott of an individual or organisation from social or professional circles, as a consequence of actions or conversation deemed controversial within society (Anderson, 2022). It is almost a voting system argued by the general public as to if the individual or group in question deserves to be ostracised as a result of a comment, event, or incident. The effects of ‘cancel culture’ are being enabled through the use of social media as a ‘never forgetting’ global platform, in addition to it being an internationally accessible forum for discussion and determination of fate. However, it is argued that in many westernised communities individuals and groups have the right to freedom of speech and in exercising that privilege, should not be condemned by societies opinions for adopting their freedom of expression or claim to personal views. As a result, this form of call-out culture has often been the subject of debate as to whether or not societies ability to ‘cancel’ a person or organisation, contradicts their right to free speech.
Not always does cancel culture succeed in shutting a public figure or celebrity down entirely; this may be seen as a weakness of this ostracization. Many individuals who have been subject to cancelling have been victim more than once but continue to bounce back into the limelight; ergo, their freedom of speech remains intact. Celebrities such as Lil Nas X, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, Scarlet Johansson, and Robert Downey Jnr have all been cancelled at one point or another, yet continue to thrive in their careers and have proven to survive society's short-lived animosity towards them (Atoms, 2022). One example of an individual that substantially demonstrates this, is former United States President Donald Trump. Trump used his position of power continuously to voice his often-controversial opinions on issues and occurrences within the world through social platforms. His often-political tweets landed him in some hot water last year where it was deemed he was inciting violence within the American community alone, and, through conversations and comments of war made in international discourse. This led to a massive push from the community to shut down Donald Trump’s social media accounts to abate his ability to continue his tyrannical-like rants and incite further societal enmity. As a result, Twitter executives permanently suspended his account due to him breaching the platform rules, as they found him to be "in violation of the Glorification of Violence Policy"; this was demonstrated through a series of tweets regarding the American community and presidential inauguration (Twitter 'permanently suspends' Trump's account, 2021). However, Trump soon tweeted from the US Presidential Twitter account ‘@Potus’ that he was seeking to create his own social media platform to rival Twitter for his own benefit. All whilst arguing that Twitter is “Not about FREE SPEECH” and he “will not be silenced” (Trump, 2021).
It was later revealed that he was also banned from apps YouTube and Facebook about statements he made encouraging his supporters to storm the US Capitol (Truth Social, Donald Trump's social media app, launches year after Twitter ban, 2022). As a result, his new app titled “TruthSocial” launched in late February 2022 with the intention of it becoming his personal platform to exercise his freedom of speech. Although we are yet to see more of his public opinions, we can determine that societies attempt to cancel Donald Trump failed and his vocality went undeterred; suggesting that perhaps call out culture does not in fact always threaten freedom of speech.
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A direct contradiction to the above statement, the ability of cancel culture to threaten the freedom of speech held by individuals does exist and is often seen in A-list environments. This would be the case of several celebrities who failed to regain support when statements they made have led to a social boycott of them and their behaviour. For example, JK Rowling was once the highly loved and commended author of the Harry Potter series, but now is the disgraced and tone-deaf writer. During the Covid 19 pandemic Ms Rowling made several transphobic online statements which deeply appalled and offended the community, including the actors who made her stories come to life through the Harry Potter movies. Within a series of tweets she published in July, she stated that ‘“trans women were not real women”, as well as supporting another anti-trans activist who called them ‘men in dresses’ and described hormones and surgery for transgender people as “a new kind of conversion therapy”’ (Kashyap, 2021). As a result, her comments significantly minimised her platform and led to her being left off the invite list of the Harry Potter reunion, which would mark 20 years since the series she created debuted. Here, JK Rowling used her freedom of speech to not only invalidate an entire community but as a result, ostracised herself from society and ergo, was ‘cancelled.’ Another celebrity with similar ideologies suffered the same fate after his homophobic rant in July of 2021 at a public event led to his downfall. Rapper and musician ‘DaBaby’ went on to vocalise extreme homophobic statements at his performance at the Rolling Loud festival and as a result, was cancelled and suffered the consequences. Music festivals all over America dropped him from their upcoming line-ups and his credit on Dua Lipa’s pop hit ‘Levitating’ was also removed, erasing him from music billboard charts worldwide (Thomas, 2022). Both DaBaby and JK Rowling’s choices to use their free speech in a negative light showcased the ability of cancel culture to threaten free speech as they were both abhorred for their actions and as a result can be titled ‘cancelled’ in our society.
Now to give an answer to the question ‘Does cancel culture threaten free speech?’, we have examined both the strengths and weaknesses of cancel culture to achieve this and it can be determined that yes it does. However, it’s proven time and time again that cancel culture is a consequence of an action an individual decides to make, and therefore is a method of accountability much needed in society. Free speech is a privilege given to our communities and therefore, people should be culpable for using it to invalidate, discriminate, spread hate, or incite violence. So, the final answer is yes, cancel culture does threaten free speech but sometimes, if deserved, it’s necessary in order to uphold society's values and protect our community from each other.
References:
Anderson, M., 2022. Americans and ‘Cancel Culture’: Where Some See Calls For Accountability, Others See Censorship, Punishment. [online] Pew Research Centre: Internet, Science & Tech. Available at: <https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2021/05/19/americans-and-cancel-culture-where-some-see-calls-for-accountability-others-see-censorship-punishment/> [Accessed 28 March 2022].
Atoms, G., 2022. An In-Depth List of Celebrities Who Have Been Cancelled. [online] News Radio 710 KEEL. Available at: <https://710keel.com/an-in-depth-list-of-celebrities-who-have-been-canceled/> [Accessed 30 March 2022].
BBC News. 2021. Twitter 'permanently suspends' Trump's account. [online] Available at: <https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-55597840> [Accessed 30 March 2022].
Kashyap, A., 2021. Cancel Culture: Threat to Freedom of Expression or a Form of Accountability?. [online] News18. Available at: <https://www.news18.com/news/movies/cancel-culture-threat-to-freedom-of-expression-or-a-form-of-accountability-3611918.html> [Accessed 30 March 2022].
Npr.org. 2022. Truth Social, Donald Trump's social media app, launches year after Twitter ban. [online] Available at: <https://www.npr.org/2022/02/22/1082250086/truth-social-donald-trumps-social-media-app-launches-year-after-twitter-ban> [Accessed 30 March 2022].
Thomas, C., 2022. 12 celebrities who got cancelled in 2021: from Chris Noth’s downfall and J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter reunion snub to Aaron Rodgers’ NFL vaccination lie and Ellen DeGeneres’ toxic workplace. [online] South China Morning Post. Available at: <https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3160837/12-celebrities-who-got-cancelled-2021-chris noths?module=perpetual_scroll_0&pgtype=article&campaign=3160837> [Accessed 30 March 2022].
