By CRYSTAL HOOTEN
Guest Columnist
In the era of social media dominance, where information spreads like wildfire, the boundaries between past and present are increasingly blurred.
Old photos or videos can resurface, reigniting controversies and thrusting them back into the spotlight once again.
Celebrities like Kevin Hart are one such example. Kevin’s jokes from his past cost him the opportunity to host the Oscars.
This has given birth to “cancel culture,” an online trend that holds individuals accountable for past mistakes. Social media, a powerful tool in today’s digital age, can unearth and magnify long-forgotten mistakes and controversies.
As I perused TikTok one day, I came across a video of a woman berating a school janitor for a misunderstanding on an 8-minute clock-out time difference.
Filled with indignation, I felt compelled to take action, writing letters to the school board and superintendent, demanding consequences for the manager’s behavior.
However, much to my surprise, it was revealed that this incident had occurred in 2016. It left me wondering how many other closed cases are dug up from the past and resurrect old skeletons, potentially wreaking havoc on individuals’ present lives with past mistakes.
Consider the case of Jonathan Holley. The video that sparked my outrage involved Holley, whose confrontation with his superior had been recorded and uploaded to TikTok.
It had been a staggering seven years since the incident had taken place, yet the video surfacing on TikTok made it seem brand new.
I could not help but wonder how many others were experiencing the same sense of shock, also feeling compelled to try to stand up for what they thought was an injustice and mistreatment rehashing the past for all the parties involved.
Cancel culture, fueled by social media, amplifies the consequences of past mistakes. It involves collective condemnation of an individual for controversial actions, leading to severe repercussions like online harassment, job loss and damaged relationships.
The internet’s permanence plays a significant role in this phenomenon. Even if individuals have evolved, a digital footprint can be easily uncovered and used against them.
Photos, videos or posts from years ago can resurface and present a distorted view of a person’s character.
While social media has revolutionized communication, it can also cause harm when used to resurrect past incidents.
Cancel culture, driven by viral outrage, can destroy lives and careers without considering context or allowing room for growth and redemption.
It is crucial to balance accountability with the opportunity for individuals to learn from their past mistakes.
The question then arises: Can we ever truly move beyond our past mistakes? Cancel culture seems to contradict societal values of growth, redemption and second chances.
It is important to balance accountability with the opportunity for growth and change. Our own growth and evolution should be celebrated, rather than being incessantly haunted by the ghosts of our past.
Promoting accountability is essential, but so is allowing space for individuals to move forward. Evaluating intent, context and subsequent growth fosters a culture that encourages rehabilitation and genuine accountability.
As social media continues to dominate, we must recognize its impact on our perception of past mistakes.
The resurrection of old skeletons should prompt reflection on human behavior, personal growth and the need for empathy and forgiveness.
Instead of perpetuating cancel culture, we should strive for a balanced approach that promotes accountability and allows individuals to atone for their actions and move forward positively.
After all, who knows what skeletons cancel culture could unearth from your closet?
