Fandom and Cancel Culture (Anish Esteves) Fandom is rooted in a sense of identity, and fans are likely to “cancel” people who violate norms of justice and moral responsibility. As fandoms represent community and comfort, fans are quick to denounce threats to these spaces.
Following the controversy of Rowling’s recent tweeting, many fans are working to distance themselves from the famed author. Actors from the popular movie series have expressed their dismay as well the publishers who are reportedly not going to work on her newest book. So, can anyone be cancelled just like that? To its many detractors, cancel culture is criticised as mob mentality echoing bullying. Cancel culture has become reactive and frequently has involved lashing out, rather than progressive calls for accountability. While fandoms can be spaces where people with shared interests build on visible collective identities and camaraderie, they can also be invisible or imagined 'relationships,' due to the very nature of social media. So, when the centre of a fandom is cancelled, the collective and personal identities and friendships can be challenged.
