Cancel culture as a term and cultural phenomenon does not have a single inventor but rather emerged as an evolution of social media practices and cultural movements over time. The concept of "canceling" started gaining traction in the mid-2010s, primarily within Black Twitter communities, as a way to call out and hold accountable individuals or entities for offensive or problematic behavior through public shaming and boycotts. It developed out of a combination of social justice activism, especially linked to movements like #MeToo and Black Lives Matter, and was influenced by earlier cultural references such as a 1981 Chic song "Your Love Is Cancelled" and a 1991 movie scene in New Jack City. Scholars emphasize that cancel culture evolved from the practices of marginalized groups using digital platforms to amplify voices and demand accountability, rather than being the invention of any single person or group.
In summary, cancel culture is a modern social phenomenon that emerged organically through online communities' activism and discourse rather than being deliberately invented by a particular individual or entity. It is closely tied to the broader dynamics of social media, activism, and cultural accountability.
