Nasiur Rahman Khan
(nasirmarinkhan@gmail.com)
In recent years, cancel culture has emerged as a highly debated topic, with some people viewing it as a threat to democracy. However, it can be argued that cancel culture plays a crucial role in promoting accountability and social justice in democratic societies.
Cancel culture refers to the practice of boycotting or shunning individuals or institutions that have been deemed to have acted in a morally or ethically unacceptable manner. This concept has gained prominence with the rise of social media, where individuals can voice their opinions and hold others accountable for their actions. Many critics of cancel culture argue that it is an attack on free speech and is used to silence dissenting opinions. However, this is a misunderstanding of the concept. Cancel culture is not about silencing opinions, but rather about holding individuals and institutions accountable for their actions and promoting social justice.
In a democratic society, accountability is essential. It ensures that individuals and institutions are held responsible for their actions and are not able to act with impunity. This is especially important for those in positions of power or influence, who have a significant impact on society. Without accountability, democracy can break down.
Cancel culture promotes accountability by holding individuals and institutions responsible for their actions. When an individual or institution is called out for their behaviour, they are forced to take responsibility and make amends. This can lead to positive change and prevent future harm from occurring.
For example, when allegations of sexual harassment and assault were made against Harvey Weinstein, the film producer, many individuals and institutions in the film industry were called out for their complicity in covering up his behavior. This led to a widespread boycott of Weinstein’s productions and the shunning of those who had been complicit. As a result, many individuals and institutions have been forced to take responsibility for their actions and have implemented policies to prevent similar behaviour in the future.
Cancel culture also promotes social justice by providing a platform for marginalized groups to have their voices heard. When marginalised groups are discriminated against or mistreated, counterculture allows them to bring attention to their cause and demand change. For example, in the wake of the “Black Lives Matter” movement, many individuals and institutions were called out for perpetuating systemic racism. This led to widespread boycotts and shuns, which brought attention to the issue and forced those in power to take action. As a result, many institutions have implemented policies and programmes to address systemic racism and promote diversity and inclusion.
Cancel culture also promotes community accountability. When an individual or institution acts in a way that is harmful to the community, it is the community’s responsibility to hold them accountable. This can be done through boycotts, shuns, or other forms of social pressure.
Community accountability is an important aspect of democracy, as it promotes the idea that we are all responsible for creating a just and equitable society. By holding each other accountable, we can work towards a better future for everyone.
However, there are legitimate concerns about the impact cancellation culture can have on free speech. Some argue that the “cancel” culture promotes a culture of censorship, where individuals are afraid to express their opinions for fear of being cancelled.
It is important to note that cancel culture should be used responsibly and thoughtfully. Cancel culture should not be used to silence dissenting opinions or to punish individuals who have made mistakes but are willing to learn from them and make amends.
In a democratic society, freedom of speech is a fundamental right that must be protected. However, freedom of speech does not give individuals the right to harm others or to perpetuate systemic injustices. Cancel culture provides a platform for marginalized groups to hold individuals and institutions accountable for their actions and promotes social justice.
In conclusion, culture plays a crucial role in promoting accountability and social justice in democratic societies. It allows marginalised groups to have their voices heard and promotes community accountability.