Cancel culture has become a buzzword in recent years, with significant implications for defining the discourses of digital and social media activism. In her research article titled “DRAG THEM: A brief etymology of so-called cancel culture,” Meredith D. Clark explores the evolution of digital accountability praxis and its connection to Black Twitter. By tracing the practice of social media callouts, she highlights the appropriation of Black vernacular traditions and the strategy of networked framing used by minoritized communities to address social problems.
What is Cancel Culture?
Cancel culture refers to the act of publicly rejecting or boycotting individuals or organizations who have engaged in offensive behavior or expressed harmful beliefs. It involves calling out and holding accountable those responsible for perpetuating harm, often through social media platforms. The goal is to withdraw support, both financial and social, from those individuals or organizations in order to refuse to endorse or validate their actions or views.
While cancel culture can be a powerful vehicle for promoting social justice and accountability, it is often subject to controversy and criticism. Opponents argue that it can lead to online harassment and the suppression of free speech, while others contend that it fails to allow for growth and change.
How Did Cancel Culture Evolve in Social Media?
The evolution of cancel culture can be attributed to the advent of social media platforms, which have given individuals the ability to connect, organize, and amplify their voices like never before. Black Twitter, a meta-network of culturally linked communities online, has played a significant role in shaping this evolution.
Black Twitter has been at the forefront of using social media as a platform for activism and accountability. Its members have employed the practice of social media callouts, drawing on Black vernacular traditions, to address a wide range of social issues. This strategy involves using anger constructively to shed light on injustices and demand change.
However, as social media gained widespread popularity, the concept of cancel culture became co-opted by social elites. The ability to call out individuals or organizations on social media quickly transformed from a tool used by marginalized communities into a means for dominant cultures to perpetuate a moral panic.
Clark argues that cancel culture has the potential to upset the concept of a limited public sphere, challenging the dominant culture’s control over narratives and shaping discussions. The ability of minoritized people and groups to effectively harness social media spaces for activism is a threat to those in power.
The Role of Black Twitter in Digital Accountability Praxis
Black Twitter has emerged as a powerful force for digital accountability praxis. Through the application of useful anger, marginalized communities have successfully framed and highlighted extant social problems using social media as a platform.
One example is the #BlackLivesMatter movement, which gained momentum on Black Twitter before spreading to wider audiences. Activists effectively used the platform to shed light on systemic racism and police brutality, mobilizing support and demanding change. The influence of Black Twitter in this movement showcases the role it plays in shaping discourses of digital activism.
Additionally, cancel culture has provided an avenue for individuals to hold public figures accountable for their actions. From Hollywood celebrities to politicians, no one is immune to the potential consequences of their behavior. This newfound accountability has reshaped power dynamics and prompted conversations around privilege and social responsibility.
Takeaways
Cancel culture, as part of the broader landscape of social media activism, has reshaped how individuals and organizations are held accountable for harmful behavior and beliefs. It has given a voice to marginalized communities and challenged dominant cultural narratives. However, it is important to continue discussing and refining the principles of cancel culture to ensure it remains a force for positive change without stifling dialogue or perpetuating harm.
By understanding the evolution and role of cancel culture, we can engage in meaningful conversations about social justice, accountability, and the power dynamics at play in online spaces.
Source: DRAG THEM: A brief etymology of so-called cancel culture – Meredith D. Clark, 2020
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