Cancel the Stars

    The sky is filled with dead stars that continue to put on a twinkling show for the Earth. Much like this, we fail to realize how much pain we put on someone else after publicly shaming them. Cancel culture has risen in both popularity and use over the last few years. We see a celebrity say or do something that may be hurtful or careless and we spread awareness about it through social media. This has helped keep many celebrities accountable for what they say or do, allowing them the chance to reflect on their actions. However, the main purpose of change is ignored, being used by the public as a method for unnecessary blame rather than accountability. We create false claims and labels for their actions, when in reality we continue to only exaggerate our perceptions of their lives. We no longer see these celebrities as humans but as glamorized idols devoid of error. This has caused us to focus on every little mistake that takes place in the small televised portion of their lives. Without credible research and evidence to support our audacious claims, we continue to ignore the larger consequences: the mental and even physical toll it takes on their lives. We cover our actions as awareness when, in reality, it is simply a form of harmful shaming. This is not to say that canceling is a bad thing, but rather that we should think about the effects of it. Are we truly changing the behaviors of the people who need it most or just harming those who were wrongly placed in the spotlight? For example, in 2016, Taylor Swift was wrongly accused of lying about her approval of Kanye West's highly controversial music containing disrespectful lyrics referring to her. Evidence recalled a phone call between the two singers, ending in mutual agreement on the lyrics, however, it was later found that the call had been changed to hide Swift's opposition. People slowly forgot the amount of hate they placed on Taylor Swift and brushed it off as a mere experience. On the opposite end, Kanye West publicly voiced his anti-Semitic opinions with no dent in his career or social standing. If anything, he has become even more popular now than ever before. Just like a dead star, these celebrities are suffering from the labels we give them, while consecutively pleasing our every greedy want and desire of them through a shiny act.