In recent years, cancel culture has gained plenty of steam in public discourse. This form of ostracism occurs when someone is called out – often on social media – for speaking or acting in a questionable manner, and the public at large chooses to shun or discredit the person for a period of time, and possibly forever. Dozens of celebrities, athletes, and brands have been “canceled” recently, and the debate over whether cancel culture holds people accountable or censors free speech and casts unfair judgment is hotly debated.

In Week 1 of Hot Topics, Mike White examined the positives and negatives of cancel culture.