What do Seth Rogen, Rick Santorum and J.K Rowling have in common?
They, and many other public figures from celebrities to senators, have spoken about “cancel culture.” Merriam-Webster defines it as a mass withdrawal of support for someone such as a celebrity to “express disapproval and exert social pressure,” but opinions on the phenomenon vary.
The newly-formed organization Unsilenced Majority opposes what they call the “woke mobs” of “cancel culture” and Rick Santorum was “savaged” by “cancel culture” for his statements on Native Americans. In the world of comedy, Seth Rogen believes that comedians shouldn’t be complaining about “cancel culture”, but confronting and accepting the jokes that may have “aged terribly.”
“Cancel culture” is a polarizing topic among the general public as well. According to a study done by the Pew Research Center, there are some who see it as taking accountability for one’s actions, others who believe it is akin to mob mentality.