If cancelling people was a sport, rell people would have gold medals by now. But you don’t find this modern-day public shaming thing got out of hand? 

Nobody is saying that people mustn’t be held accountable - you do the crime, you pay the time. However, this mob mentality where you target anybody whether they are guilty or not, without regard for due process or context has to stop. 

You don’t wonder: If we are so quick to bash someone and drag their name through the mud for doing something wrong, are you sure we are not becoming just like the accused or even worse? So who calling we out when we cross the line then? Or we just playing morality police when it convenient? 

On one hand, cancel culture could be a powerful tool of social justice. It can give a voice to the marginalized and spark meaningful change. But on the other hand, it has morphed into something far more toxic.

One minute people vex, next minute they forget and move onto the next bacchanal like Dory. So it’s just for pappy show then? People not even really looking for change… they just want to join the hype, buss a steups and feel relevant. But who is that really helping? What are we really solving?

The frustration we feel when powerful individuals seem to get away scot-free for their actions is understandable. But where is the line between justice and just pure revenge? It’s true that throughout history, many influential figures had many flaws, controversial beliefs, or behaviours that by today’s standards, would be unheard of. Yet, their work and innovations profoundly shaped the world. Take Thomas Edison and Walt Disney for instance. If they were around now, they would’ve been cancelled before they could even say ‘prunes’. But imagine, not having a single lightbulb or movie? And no Disney Hakuna Matata and Buzz lightyear bawling, “To infinity and beyond!” (AND DOH ACT LIKE YUH TOO BIG TO WATCH CARTOONS EH)

See how Disney is trying to be more inclusive now too? So when cancel culture becomes punitive rather than corrective, it can create a social prison where people start avoiding risks, trying not to offend even a mosquito. As such, genuine creativity, humour and critical thinking wither and the world becomes lifeless... 

So the challenge is finding balance: fostering open dialogue and growth rather than permanent condemnation. Gandhi’s words, “If you want to change the world, start with yourself,” are more relevant now than ever. Cancel culture has become this powerful, invisible force that dictates what is “right” or “wrong,” and often, it becomes a tool for public humiliation instead of reflection or understanding.

What if we flip the script and start following the simple acronym CBC- Contemplate Before Correcting, Contemplate Before Circulating. It’s the ultimate drink water and mind your business.

Words have power and we are all accountable for our own actions. So instead of judging others, let’s choose to treat them with the same compassion and respect that we would hope to receive. Be your brother’s keeper and don’t be quick to throw stones when we all live in glass houses.