Cancel culture has become a defining part of modern public life. It began as a digital form of accountability, where social media users called out celebrities, politicians, or companies for harmful actions or words. The idea was that if someone misused their platform or said something offensive, the public could withdraw their support and force change. In theory, it gave ordinary people power that once belonged only to big institutions. But as it grew, cancel culture became more complicated and sometimes more destructive.

One of the earliest and most famous cases was that of “Kevin Hart”, who in 2018 was chosen to host the Oscars. Soon after, old tweets of his from 2009–2011 resurfaced, where he made anti-gay jokes. The backlash on Twitter was intense, and despite Hart’s public apology and explanation that he had changed since then, he stepped down from hosting the event. The situation showed how cancel culture can punish people for past mistakes, even when they’ve already apologized previously.

Another major example is “J.K. Rowling”, the author of “Harry Potter”. In 2020, she faced global backlash for comments on Twitter that many interpreted as anti-trans. Her comments lead fans and even “Harry Potter” actors like Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson to publicly distance themselves from her. While Rowling defended her views as concern for women’s rights, the controversy divided her audience and reshaped her public image. It revealed how cancel culture can turn even beloved figures into symbols of larger social debates.

Cancel culture also hit comedian Dave Chappelle after his Netflix special “The Closer” in 2021. Many viewers and advocacy groups accused him of making harmful jokes about transgender people. Protests followed, including from Netflix employees who said the company was supporting transphobia. Chappelle, however, argued that his comedy was being misunderstood and refused to apologize. His case showed how cancel culture doesn’t always succeed in silencing someone sometimes, it makes them even more defiant and visible.

There are also cases where cancel culture targeted ordinary people, not celebrities. In 2020,Amy Cooper, a white woman in New York, called the police on a Black birdwatcher, Christian Cooper, after he asked her to leash her dog. The video went viral, and Amy was quickly labelled “Central Park Karen.” She lost her job and faced criminal charges for filing a false report. While many saw this as justice, others questioned whether losing one’s livelihood online should replace due process. It highlighted how public outrage can escalate beyond accountability into permanent damage.

Cancel culture reflects a powerful shift in who holds influence in society. It gives people a voice against injustice but also risks turning public judgment into mob punishment. From Kevin Hart to J.K. Rowling to Amy Cooper, it’s clear that the internet can both expose wrongdoing and erase nuance. The challenge now is to find balance & how to call out harmful behaviour while still leaving room for learning, forgiveness, and change. True accountability shouldn’t destroy people, it should help them do better.