Public Shaming and Cancel Culture

In our current day and age, it is almost impossible to escape the effects of social media. The rise of social media amplified the influences of public shaming and brought a wave of cancel culture. Although the vast majority see public shaming as a horrible thing, I think there are significant positives and negatives of public shaming. 

Less than a week ago, Tucker Carlson appeared on his weekly show and downplayed Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine; the Fox News Host stated, “It may be worth asking yourself, since it is getting pretty serious, what is this really about? Why do I hate Putin so much?” and continuously emphasized that Putin wasn’t the enemy. Lucky, the internet, and other media outlets quickly exposed Carlson’s statements and undermined his argument. In circumstances like these, it is appropriate to utilize public shaming: Carlson is a public figure, he was spreading misinformation, and he was supporting an authoritarian leader. Moreover, there is an entire internet movement dedicated to boycotting Nestle and its subsidiaries. In case you didn’t know, here is a brief list of atrocities Nestle has committed: 

• Using unethical practices to promote the sale of baby formula for underdeveloped countries in Africa, led to countless deaths. 

• Declaring that “water is not a human right, it should be privatized.”

• Trafficking children to Côte d’Ivoire, forcing them into slavery, and frequently abusing them for Cocoa production. 

By creating a crusade to cancel Nestle, consumers have the ability to voice their opinions and stop Nestle’s influence. 

However, when used incorrectly, public shaming can be a horrendous thing. One of the most infamous examples of public shame is the Clinton–Lewinsky scandal. For years after the event, late-night shows, songs, and other types of media, continuously slut shamed Monica Lewinsky for her role in the scandal; when Lewinsky tried to move on and get a job in a different field, she simply couldn’t. The irony in this situation is that Clinton never faced the public backlash Lewinsky was subjugated to, even though he was the main perpetrator. 

All in all, technological advancements have given us a platform to share our opinions and create an atmosphere of cancelation. Regardless, it is essential that we consider the negative impacts of cancel culture before jumping onto a bandwagon.