Cancel Culture through Social Media in Budi Pekerti (Andragogy) 2023

Oleh Roma Kyo Kae Saniro Dosen Universitas Andalas

JurnalPost.com - "Budi Pekerti" is an Indonesian drama film directed and written by Wregas Bhanuteja. Rekata Studio and Kaninga Pictures produce the movie with Sha Ine Febriyanti, Dwi Sasono, and Angga Yunanda as the main cast. On September 9, 2023, "Budi Pekerti" premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, providing a profound experience for the audience with its compelling story. Additionally, the film gained international recognition by being selected as one of the official entries at the SXSW Sydney 2023 Screen Festival, held from October 15 to 22, 2023, in Sydney, Australia, providing an opportunity for global audiences to enjoy the film.

Furthermore, "Budi Pekerti" was honored as the opening film at the Jakarta Film Week (JFW) 2023. From October 25 to 29, 2023, film enthusiasts in Jakarta could enjoy the story presented in this film as the opening act of the prestigious event. With the support of leading festivals and appearances on international stages, "Budi Pekerti" exemplifies that Indonesian films can compete and be appreciated globally.

The film presents an important issue related to cancel culture, exemplified by the character Bu Prani, a BK teacher involved in a dispute with another customer in a food queue. Bu Prani reprimands the customer for cutting in line by entrusting their order to someone who would be served first. However, when Bu Prani confronts the customer, someone records the incident and uploads it to social media. The discourse presented in the media unfairly vilifies Bu Prani with various accusations that she did not commit.

The repercussions of Bu Prani's viral case extend to her children, who are scrutinized for their actions, ultimately disturbing Bu Prani and her family's peace. Eventually, despite Bu Prani's attempts to clarify and various response videos from people across different media, she is continually vilified, leading to her resignation as a teacher due to accumulating problems. This event is a powerful example of how the power of social media and the phenomenon of cancel culture can damage an individual's reputation and life without considering facts or context. Bu Prani's experience can be seen as an instance of culture cancelation.

Before addressing culture cancel, it's essential to understand the concept. Cancel culture is a phenomenon that has garnered widespread attention, where individuals, brands, events, or even films are collectively condemned or rejected by society. As reported by The New York Post, this phenomenon has increasingly become a topic of discussion. According to Dr. Jill McCorkel, a sociology and criminology professor at Villanova University, cancel culture stems from society's efforts to enforce prevailing social norms.

McCorkel further explains that cancel culture is an extension or evolution of previous social processes, essentially serving as a punishment against individuals deemed to violate these social norms. This reflects a change in how society reacts to behavior deemed inappropriate or unacceptable in the current social context. Practically, cancel culture often manifests in withdrawing support from specific individuals or entities, impacting their careers, reputations, or popularity. This phenomenon raises questions about the boundaries of free speech and social responsibility in an increasingly interconnected society exposed to social media.

Bu Prani and her family are at the center of the culture cancel phenomenon, where they are punished by society for allegedly violating prevailing social norms. The impact is significant, especially on Bu Prani's popularity and career as a teacher, ultimately forcing her to resign. Her son, Muklas, initially known as an influencer with many followers, is eventually vilified, and his followers no longer appreciate his content. Even her other child, Tita, faces difficulties as her friends do not trust her.

In this story, the issue of cancel culture not only reflects a rejection of individuals but also highlights how social media exacerbates the situation. Sarah Gopaul, a quoted figure, reveals that social media often turns minor issues into major disasters. This is evident in the incident where a viral video creates discord in society, exacerbating already brutal conflicts.

A concrete example of Sarah Gopaul's statement can be seen in the community's response to the uploaded video about Bu Prani. Although the actual event only involves a minor incident in a food queue, after being uploaded to social media, the video goes viral and elicits an exaggerated reaction from the community. Various negative comments and verbal attacks against Bu Prani spread widely on social media platforms, worsening the situation and creating discord among the public. Moreover, social media allows poorly verified or fake news to spread rapidly. This can escalate tensions and societal conflicts, as inaccurate or tendentious information can reinforce negative attitudes towards individuals or groups.

Not only does this narrative attempt to address the issue of cancel culture, but it also highlights the presence of social media, creating other issues. Social media presence also brings various surprises, as seen in this story. With the spread of viral news, the public is exposed to different information that may be inaccurate or tendentious, ultimately leading to discord and distrust among its members. In line with what Sarah Gopaul expressed, the presence of social media can be considered a cultural shift with dire consequences, often escalating insignificant situations into major disasters, as demonstrated in Andragogy. Moreover, viral news will eventually bring various surprises, allowing for discord in our surroundings.

To address the issue of cancel culture and the negative impact of social media depicted in this story, it is essential to enhance digital literacy and awareness of the importance of verifying information before disseminating it. Education on responsible social media use also needs to be improved, including understanding online ethics and the impact of online actions on individuals and society. Additionally, promoting a culture of open discussion and understanding within society is crucial so individuals can learn to appreciate different perspectives and avoid spreading inaccurate or harmful information.