Cancel culture has undoubtedly been one of the most discussed issues across the country in recent months. Cancel culture can be defined as a newly recognized form of repudiation among a large group of people with similar distaste for a certain idea or action.

Such ideas or actions that have been “cancelled” by the masses have been multiple celebrities for old racist remarks, businesses for being complicit in social justice issues, and certain organizations for not acting according to the wishes of consumers.

While a large number of individuals are in favor of cancel culture and its possible rightful consequences, the opposition has claimed not just that cancel culture is ludicrous in practice, but that it is one of the biggest issues facing modern America today, as it threatens the country’s founding document.

Freedom of speech is protected under the first amendment of the constitution, but mentions nothing about freedom from consequence. You are free to say whatever it is on your mind, but considering it can possibly cause harm to others, this freedom is potentially limited. This is why when a controversial video or statement is released of a couple students doing something that is found displeasing to the public, colleges pull their scholarships from the students, and they have every right to do so. This is not just a bad look for the institution, it can hurt a large number of people.

This hurt being brought upon whole communities is not physical, but is psychological. By glorifying the mistakes this country claims to have learned from, it does not just show a complete lack of understanding and empathy from our “leaders”, but is a great example of how maybe some things should be “cancelled”. Because if you are truly accepting of hateful statues, you are complicit and alright with what it is these historical hooligans did. And that was to kill, enslave, and torture. This is history that should not be commemorated, because the longer these statues are propped up, the continuation of hate between will be exacerbated.

There is a fine line between commemorating atrocities, and “tearing down history”. Museums offer us an appropriate place in which we can learn from the past. An inappropriate place for such outdated relics would be the center of a popular city. A city full of diverse groups of people, should not be reminded of the disgusting times in which the nation they call home has failed people who look like them. Countries such as Germany, have put in place laws to directly confront their ugly past, as Holocaust denial is illegal in the country. So, is it really freedom of speech when you are not just celebrating, but promoting?

Presenting and commemorating terrible actions such as slavery on a 20 foot tall statue is disgusting. In direct response, it is important to note that cancelling certain unfavorable actions such as this is good. It forces us to hold those who make significant mistakes accountable. Because, if unchecked by anyone, these mistakes can take form into something a lot more damaging.

The actual idea of someone being cancelled first originated when the questionable decisions of celebrities resurfaced on social media beginning in the year 2017. This resulted in a mass form of boycott and punishment by social media users who did not approve of these prominent figures’ past behaviors. By not purchasing the celebrities’ music, attacking their livelihoods, and demanding apologies, these celebrities were effectively “cancelled” for their actions.

Cancel culture is just a more modernized form of protest or boycott that just has a new and catchier label to it. Protesting and boycotting as we know are two of the most American actions performed since the founding of the country.

While cancel culture and boycotts are extremely similar, there are some important distinctions to consider between the two.

Cancel culture, when used appropriately, is a perfect way to show corporations and celebrities there are consequences to their actions. A way to remind corporations that they cannot exist without us the consumer. A suggestion to cater to customer needs instead of selfish greed.

Cancel culture has also been used as a negative term thrown around to belittle the idea of rightful punishment. It has become so widely argued, the term is often applied to situations it has no place to be mentioned in.

Like many things, it has been inserted into politics just to gain support or gaslight people. We can not allow this to be a red or blue subject, as it is destructive if misused. Division is constantly driven by those with the platform to inflict the most damage. They just want your vote; they couldn’t care less if what they are speaking about in regards to cancel culture is true or false.

Dr. Seuss was never “canceled”. The company executively decided to pull a couple outdated books with obvious racially insensitive undertones. It is not the decision of the consumers in this case; it was up to them.

We are going through some of the largest problems in America’s entire history, yet we are angry about kids’ books being pulled? Kids books that were not even popular while available, might I note. This was no Green Eggs and Ham on the removal list. These were Seuss’s early works that highlighted his prejudices and poked fun at insensitive racially motivated jokes and stereotypes. They obviously did not sell very well back then and forced him to begin writing the popular works we are familiar with to this day. It says a lot about our society if people are upset with the removal of a book that condones racism in such a disrespectful way. Especially considering it was intended for children.

While it is very possible cancelling too many things could lead to a desensitized society with little to no room for error amongst the general public, holding businesses and people alike accountable for their actions is not only a traditional American value in itself, but essential to the healthy progression of a nation.

Alike to children, when a mistake is made, there are consequences along with means of discipline to ensure a mistake is not made again. Sure a billion dollar CEO is very different from that of a six year old (in some cases), but when the actions that prominent figures make can directly affect the livelihoods of others, this is the only dog we have in such a fight.

For example, Tesla’s Elon Musk was under fire for an offensive tweet questioning the parameters behind pronouns and the LGBTQIA+ community. Someone with a platform as large as Musk normalizing irresponsible behavior is a problem. This sets an inappropriate precedent for people across the world to question situations that do not concern them. Sure, it is important to be able to question certain unfamiliar subjects. But when doing so with malice intent and just for likes can cause harm to a whole community.

Cancel culture, in itself, offers a useful tool in which we can make the world a better place when used in an appropriate amount and to an appropriate degree. It can also serve as a double-sided sword when utilized too much, causing a complete delegitimization of not just cancel culture, but to all who are deserving of consequences in the first place.

It is important to truly understand the full extent of each situation before the term cancel culture is even considered. If your anger is towards those inclined to seek some form of rightful discipline, instead of the actual questioned wrong-doer, then you might be on the wrong side.

If you find yourself always in the midst of cancelling something or someone, without complete understanding, then you very well could be just as bad as the opposition.

All things considered, cancel culture is a very complex issue, but the general idea we can all agree on, is that no matter how controversial the debate, we should never cancel the truth.