Can being 'cancelled' do more harm than good? UAE residents share their experience with 'cancel culture'

Centuries ago, people were tarred and feathered as a form of social boycott.

According to Pegasus magazine, cancel culture can find its roots in the 1880s with the Irish, and later gained momentum as a potent social and political tool, notably during the civil rights movement, exemplified by Rosa Parks’ pivotal role in the Montgomery bus boycott.

Today, cancel culture has become a hashtag. It has not spared actors, directors, musicians, influencers, and even comedians, who seemed to be allowed to joke about everything, who now stand ‘cancelled’. However, these ‘cancellations,’ have led to people becoming more vocal about unacceptable behaviour, thereby establishing new unspoken rules.

Social networks gave users the platform to speak out and did not allow high-profile scandals to be hushed up, as they used to be in the past. However, cancel culture presents numerous drawbacks. It can serve as a pretext for bullying, lack crucial context, and enable individuals to evade accountability.

So, cancel culture should be seen as a double-edged sword. While it can promote real change and make individuals accountable, it can also do more harm than good if used irresponsibly, making it even more important to consider the implications of cancel culture before participating in it.

Let us see what people in the UAE think of this culture.

Is it always justified?

“Before cancel culture became the term du jour, various forms of ostracism were prevalent,” says Ansoo Gupta who heads the UAE chapter of Headstart. “For instance, during the McCarthy era in the United States, individuals suspected of having communist sympathies were blacklisted from the entertainment industry. And what about the Salem Witch trials in the 17th century? In its social media avatar today, the motivation behind cancel culture often stems from a desire to promote accountability and justice for marginalised individuals.”

“For example, in 2018, comedian Kevin Hart faced backlash and calls for cancellation after old tweets containing homophobic remarks resurfaced ultimately forcing him to step down from hosting the Oscars. But that’s the thing: cancel culture isn't always the hero it makes itself out to be. Sure, it can be a force for good when it comes to holding people accountable for their actions. But we have to be careful not to let it turn into a witch hunt where anyone who steps out of line gets thrown to the wolves.”

Ansoo gives an example of director James Gunn who faced intense backlash and calls for his firing from Disney after old tweets containing offensive jokes resurfaced. However, Gunn was eventually reinstated as the director of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. “This instance highlights the importance of allowing room for redemption and growth within cancel culture.”

“In my opinion, while cancel culture may have the potential to promote accountability and give voice to marginalised individuals, its execution raises ethical concerns. Especially when it is easy to sway opinions on social media.”

“It's important to strike a balance between seeking justice and fostering empathy and forgiveness in our interactions both online and offline.”

Potential to stifle growth

Today, the world is a dangerous place, so we need to tread with caution, says Sean Wells, a Dubai-based financial analyst. “Anything we say, even in jest, can be highlighted on social media and blown completely out of proportion to malign our character.”

Himself a victim of cancel culture a few years ago, he moved from UK to Dubai to restart his career in finance. “I was literally hounded out of my practice, and you know the financial sector is not kind to those maligned, with or without cause. I chose to leave and start anew.”

However, Sean adds, this cancel culture is a concept so hotly debated that it remains in limbo, much like many individuals’ attitudes toward it.

He gives another example of how people hound you, sometimes over minor issues. “Take cricketer Ollie Robinson or example. He is being investigated for nine-year-old tweets dating back to when he was a teenager. Within the last few years, people are being ‘cancelled’ for views, comments or actions seen as offensive today. Cancel culture is becoming the new form of intimidation.”

According to him, this culture is fundamentally a negative reaction and hence will not generate a positive outcome. “It has always been around and was called different names such as groupism, office politics, or self-declared elitism. Essentially it is nothing more than a reverse marginalisation and is certainly doomed to backfire, if not today, very soon.”

Toxicity of cancel culture

“Being targeted can make individuals experience anxiety and stress since it may lead to public humiliation, damage to their reputation and loss of livelihood, according to Ammarah Ashraf, Clinical Psychologist, Nabta Health. “The constant fear of judgement and negative consequences can take a toll on mental wellbeing.”