My views on "cancel culture"

I personally think it doesn't really exist, or at least that it's nothing new. People have pretty much always boycotted things or other people for various reasons, so I find calling it something new or a "gen z thing" to be rather dishonest.
Something I don't get from those who "cancel" people is why they have to publicly announce it, especially if it's for entirely personal reasons; you have all the right not to support something or someone and don't have to explain yourself to anyone for it, so why make a big deal out of it and make it public?
At the same time I can't help but laugh at those who think that this was a threat to freedom of speech or even the end of it, as I can tell they don't even know what freedom of speech is; in a free country you're absolutely allowed to say whatever you want without fearing persecution or punishment, that doesn't mean everyone has to agree with you and support what you say, or that you won't have to face certain consequences. Be happy knowing you won't be put in jail for simply stating controversial opinions, but don't expect everyone to like them.