Clark, Meredith D. “DRAG Them: A Brief Etymology of So-Called ‘Cancel Culture.” Communication and the Public, vol. 5, no. 3–4, 2020, pp. 88–92.
The article “DRAG Them: A Brief Etymology of So-Called ‘Cancel Culture’” by Clark Meredith explores how cancel culture originated as a digital evolution of a Black oral tradition. Meredith Clark is an American scholar, journalist, and professor who teaches media studies. The target audience for this article includes politicians, college students, and journalists. The author of this article argues that the social media callouts were meant to form a networked framing through applications of reductive “cancel culture.” Clark aims to examine how Black Twitter, a network that connects societies, represents the changing landscape of digital accountability.
According to the article, “cancel culture” is a term that signifies the implications of social media and digital engagement. Capitalism aims to improve the production and audience side of social media (Clark 89). According to the author, social media serves as a platform where a journalist meets media demands and attracts listeners’ attention. Clark traces the social media practices from the traditions of the Black languages, which transformed into the digital age. The transformation was possible due to the introduction of social media and its use among small groups.
The author uses digital intersectionality theory to explore the origins of Black digital practices. In his article, Clark finally agrees that social media are networked, and the cancel culture arises through their transformation. The activists’ attempt to separate Black Oral Traditions resulted in threats to aspirational values and left them vulnerable to social capital. They were the first to improve the community’s condition.
Consequently, the article summarizes “cancel culture” as a phenomenon that supports accountability and resistance practices. This is possible by framing the unruly ideas among people who wish to criticize social positions. However, digital transformation reduces such criticism by demanding friendships that promote utility and influence the entertainment industry (Clark 90).
The online harassment and several instances of bad faith that evolved from Black Twitter currently demand accountability in the digital space. The author argues in this article that the lack of deliberation in clout-chasing by evil characters led to a shift in power in public spheres in digital spaces. According to Pippa, college students are silenced by dismissing their philosophical ideas before they have developed, resulting in real-world problems such as massive unemployment.
This article relates to “Cancel Culture: Myth or Reality” by Pippa Norris, as both describe how the concept of cancel culture influences and silences communities (Norris 156). Film producers and directors have the power to prevent journalists and entertainers from showcasing their talents.
The article also aligns with Saint-Louis’s “Understanding Cancel Culture” regarding digital activism. Clark applies the digital intersectionality framework to analyze Black digital practices. In contrast, Saint-Louis employs digital activism to describe e-funding, clicktivism, and met voicing through communication and information technology (Saint-Louis). All these related social media involve retweeting, reposting, and commenting on what is considered activism.
The article provides valuable insights into the origin and evolution of cancel culture. The article also highlights the influence of social media platforms and the entertainment industry in shaping public spheres. Using digital intersectionality theory to explain Black digital practices and their relation to digital activism further enhances the article’s usefulness in understanding cancel culture. The author’s analysis of cancel culture’s digital transformation from Black Oral Tradition and its implications on accountability and resistance practices will be helpful in my discussion on cancel culture.
Norris, Pippa. “Cancel Culture: Myth or Reality?” Political Studies, vol. 71, no.1, 2023, pp. 145–174.
In her article “Cancel culture: Myth or reality?” published in Political Studies in 2023, Pippa Norris discusses cancel culture and how it may impact academia and politics. Norris, an internationally known academic and professor of comparative politics at the University of Sydney in Australia, is also the Founding Director of the Election Integrity Project and the Social and Political Sciences Program Director. This article examines the so-called “cancel culture,” which has drawn increased criticism in recent years.
According to Norris, the extent to which scholars feel that their voices are being suppressed in academia is influenced by whether their moral beliefs align with those of their group, community, or society. Pippa Norris analyses cancel culture, offering definitions of the term and arguments for and against the practice. Norris defines “cancel culture” as “collective strategies by activists using social pressures to achieve cultural ostracism of targets (someone or something) accused of offensive words or deeds” (148). She then discusses the normative debates surrounding the concept, noting that some people believe this is an effective tool for achieving social justice. In contrast, others believe it is a slippery slope to silencing free speech and open debate (Norris 147). Using examples from both the progressive left and the conservative right, Norris illustrates how cancel culture has been used across the political spectrum to target influential figures who are seen to have transgressed moral standards of conduct.
Norris then discusses the implications of cancel culture on liberalism, academic freedom, and intellectual debate. She notes how this concept can have adverse effects, such as discouraging dissenting views, promoting uniformity of thought among group members, and reinforcing confirmation bias (Norris 150). Moreover, Norris argues that this trend is particularly problematic on college campuses, where the pressures of conformity are more potent, potentially stifling thought diversity, intellectual debate, and academic freedom. Lastly, Norris points out that these concerns about cancel culture have been raised by both conservative and liberal public intellectuals, noting that these issues should not be seen from a partisan perspective.
The essay targets a political science audience, assuming familiarity with the subject matter. The intended audience for this paper is primarily political science professionals and researchers with a certain level of knowledge and expertise in the field. However, it is also written in a way that non-specialists can comprehend. Norris aims to show that cancel culture warrants consideration beyond political lenses. She aims to present an impartial analysis of the various issues related to cancel culture.
This source by Pippa Norris is similar to that of David Clark and Hélène Saint-Louis. All three sources explore cancel culture and its implications on public discourse. Clark’s source provides a more in-depth look into the term’s etymology, tracing its usage back to the 1600s and exploring how it has changed and evolved in modern times. This source also provides a more detailed analysis of the pros and cons of cancel culture, outlining the potential benefits it can have in holding influential figures accountable and the potential drawbacks of limiting free speech and open debate. Saint-Louis’s source provides a more theoretical analysis of the concept, exploring its implications regarding punishment.
Norris’ article provides a more comprehensive overview of cancel culture, including definitions, normative arguments, and analytical theories. The author also outlines the potential implications of cancel culture on civil society activists, mass media, and major companies such as Twitter and Facebook. Her extensive discussion on the issue makes the article a valuable resource for people seeking to understand the concept of cancel culture and its potential impacts on academia, politics, and society.
Saint-Louis, Hervé. “Understanding cancel culture: Normative and unequal sanctioning.” First Monday, vol. 26, no. 7, 2021.
In “Understanding Cancel Culture: Normative and Unequal Sanctioning,” Herve Saint-Louis explores cancel culture in depth. The author is a renowned cartoonist and an assistant emerging media professor at Université du Québec à Chicoutimi. The article was published in 2021 in First Monday, a peer-reviewed journal. In the article, the author defines cancel culture as a phenomenon whereby members of the public call out individuals who violate norms on social media (Saint-Louis).
The primary target audience of this article is the general public. Saint-Louis aims to raise awareness of the existence of the cancel culture phenomenon and increase the understanding of the processes that shape it. According to Saint-Louis, though some people deny the existence of this phenomenon and its effects, the specific processes that shape it are widely misunderstood. To this end, the author argues that cancellation occurs only if third parties with oversight impose sanctions on the offending individuals.
The author argues against complaints against cancel culture, such as those that cancel culture hinders freedom of expression, and that the callout retribution action often destroys lives. In rebuttal, Saint-Louis argues that activists do not fire individuals guilty of transgressing; instead, organizations sanction these individuals. Notably, the author affirms that cancel culture and cancellation are unequal, arguing that cancel culture tends to have lasting effects on afflicted persons. In contrast, cancellation fails to affect offenders equally. Saint-Louis argues that the lack of predominant stereotypes and labels for men puts women in the spotlight and brings out an aspect of inequality in the cancel culture phenomenon.
Through the normative social models, Saint-Louis explores how cancelled women face misogyny through the cancel culture phenomenon. Furthermore, the author explores the “Karen phenomenon,” where “Karen” refers to White women whose interactions with African American men are deemed racist (Saint-Louis). Cancel culture can have a significant impact on individuals who exhibit behavior that is associated with the “Karen” stereotype. This is because cancel culture often involves publicly calling out and shunning individuals who are perceived as engaging in behavior that is considered offensive, disrespectful, or racist. In some cases, individuals labeled as “Karen” may face social or professional consequences, such as losing their jobs, being subject to online harassment or threats, or being ostracized by their peers.
Like Norris, Saint-Louis argues that cancel culture is a natural phenomenon, not a myth, as it progresses fast in most societies. The two authors also argue that cancel culture’s consequences are dire and affect individuals unfairly. Both authors agree that cancel culture has proven to have unequal consequences on people of color compared to their White counterparts. Both articles highlight aspects of inequality regarding men and women.
The study by Norris suggests that cancel culture undermines the freedom of expression, which has affected the confidence of activists sharing opinions that they believe are not popular. On the contrary, Saint-Louis argues that cancel culture does not infringe on people’s freedom of expression. Still, sanctions imposed by third parties with oversight, such as employers of the transgressing individuals, have this effect.
The arguments of Saint-Louis are similar to those made by Clark in her article. The articles argue that cancel culture hugely defines social media activism. As a result, the authors of the three articles contend that oversight entities must exercise prudence before penalizing or sanctioning individuals publicly exposed on social media for their wrongdoing.
The article by Saint-Louis is essential to my research as it sheds light on cancel culture. The author explores this topic from a different dimension by reviewing both sides of the coin. For instance, the author explains his argument against complaints about cancel culture undermining freedom of expression. The claims made on the same topic shed light on the processes that define cancel culture.