Let’s cancel ‘cancel culture’

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Emma Holmes, Arts and Entertainment Editor

In today’s day and age, especially among my generation, the fight for equality and justice is ubiquitous in the media; however, there is a clear difference between fighting for justice and dredging up someone’s mistake from years ago, only to ignore their apology and ‘cancel’ them and their fans.

From old tweets on Twitter to grainy cell phone videos posted in 2005, your presence on the internet leaves a footprint for all to see. In the case of cancel culture, however, that can be the cause of your comeuppance.

Dictionary.com defines cancel culture as the following, “Cancel culture refers to the popular practice of withdrawing support for (canceling) public figures and companies after they have done or said something considered objectionable or offensive. Cancel culture is generally discussed as being performed on social media in the form of group shaming.”

When someone or something is ‘canceled’ it typically means they are over, done with, forgotten, basically boycotted from society. 

Many try to take away said person or company’s success and platform by refusing to acknowledge their work in many ways, such as not purchasing their products, listening to their music, etc. This type of attitude can, at times, be appropriate and fitting for the situation. 

But despite the very few times it is necessary, it can be detrimental and is a toxic behavior our world has gotten caught up in. 

Do not get me wrong, I am all for calling someone out when their actions or words are offensive or unnecessary, but there is a certain way to go about doing that. 

For instance, back in May of this month, makeup guru Jeffree Star released a new eyeshadow palette entitled “Cremated” with death-themed shade names such as ‘eulogy,’ ‘embalmed, ’‘angel of death,’ and ‘afterlife.’ 

The palette itself is very beautiful with a wide range of shades; however, many were deeply offended by his releasing it during a global pandemic.

One twitter user wrote, “Jeffree Star really put out a palette called “cremated” and has the shade names revolve around death while there’s a global pandemic and thousands are dying everyday…ok also why would you put something out when people are struggling for money and can’t afford food?? Yikes.” 

Star responded to the backlash with a statement of his own, claiming that he and his company had trademarked the name Cremated back in September of 2019, before the coronavirus outbreak. 

Sure enough, the documents proved him correct. Star also stated in his video addressing the situation that his brand and creations “never come from a bad place.” 

He also added in his apology video, “I created a brand for all the weirdos and people that really didn’t feel like they fit in. So in no way was this created to be offensive, ever.” 

Although it is understandable why his audience was upset over the palette, it was wrong for many of them to assume he had ill -intent. 

However, an example of cancel culture being essential is shown in the Jussie Smollett case, an actor on FOX’s show “Empire.” 

On January 29, Smollett told police that he had been attacked and verbally abused by two people “yelling out racial and homophobic slurs.” He also added that an “unknown chemical substance” had been poured over him.

After police conducted interviews with over 100 people, their main leads led to an assumption that two Nigerian brothers had been paid by Smollett himself to stage the attack. 

Despite Smollett and his attorneys denying his part in the assault, he was arrested February 21 on suspicion of filing a false police report and indicted on 16 counts of felony disorderly conduct March 8, according to CNN

Along with Smollett’s character being cut from the final seasons of “Empire,” the city of Chicago is filing a lawsuit against him, or canceling him, if you will, to somehow recover the $130,000 spent in police overtime costs.

In summation, cancel culture can be necessary when the actions require it. However, as a society, we need to do our research, take the time to look into stories, and not assume that every star or famous company is always performing out of negativity or hatred towards others.