Cancel culture

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Cancel culture is a cultural phenomenon in which an individual thought to have acted or spoken in an unacceptable manner is ostracized, boycotted, shunned, fired or assaulted, often aided by social media.^[1][2][3][4] This shunning may extend to social or professional circles—whether on social media or in person—with most high-profile incidents involving celebrities.^[5] Those subject to this ostracism are said to have been "canceled".^[6][7][a]

The term "cancel culture" came into circulation in the late 2010s and early 2020s and has mostly negative connotations.^[7] The term "call-out culture" is used by some for the same concept.

Some critics argue that cancel culture has a chilling effect on public discourse, that it is unproductive, that it does not bring real social change, that it causes intolerance, or that it amounts to cyberbullying.^[8][9] Others argue that the term is used to attack efforts to promote accountability or give disenfranchised people a voice, and to attack language that is itself free speech. Still others question whether cancel culture is an actual phenomenon,^[10] arguing that boycotting has existed long before the origin of the term "cancel culture".^[9][11][12]

While the careers of some public figures have been impacted by boycotts—widely described as "cancellation"—others who complained of cancellation successfully continued their careers.^[13][14]

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