V2-I2 Columns and Reviews
Society teaches "don't get raped" rather than "don't rape"
By: McKenzie Messer
“Oh, man! I totally just raped you!” screams the 11 year old as he defeats his opponent on Call of Duty. This is an example of rape culture. Rape culture can be defined as “a concept which links rape and sexual violence to the culture of a society, and in which prevalent attitudes and practices normalize, excuse, tolerate, or even condone rape.”
Rape is not a “struggle snuggle;” it’s the unlawful compelling of a person through physical force or duress to have sexual intercourse. Defeating them. Dominating them. Humiliating them. Completely stripping their victims of their humanity and making them simple objects to torture for their own pleasure. And that is absolutely terrifying, not funny.
We accept so many things in our lives that promote rape culture that we’re not necessarily aware that we're doing it. The recent popular song “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke is a perfect example. At one point of the song he says, “The way you grab me , must wanna get nasty…I know you want it.” He is implying that she is a promiscuous girl, judged by his personal beliefs and standards, and because she is a promiscuous girl, she obviously wants to have sexual relations with him. The “blurred lines” he speaks of is this “fuzzy” line that he can’t tell if he should go ahead and try to have sex with her, or back off. Let me tell you, folks. There is no such thing as a blurred line. There is a “no” and a yes." Unless there is consent, it is a "no" and it is rape. If the person that has your eye has not made it very clear that it is a "yes," BACK OFF. Also, the T.I. part of the song is completely and utterly disgusting. I would explain why it is unbelievably inappropriate, but to even censor his lyrics, my mother would probably make me wash out my mouth with soap.
Remember the Steubenville trial, right? How many people defended the boys who committed the crime? How many people pitied the boys and fought for their freedom because they cried in court like children? Or because their athletic careers would come to a stop and their futures would be ruined? How many people blamed the victim? People tried to blame a girl who already lived through seven lives worth of trauma for something she had no control over. If you think it was the girl’s fault, even partially, think if it was your daughter, your sister, your niece, your best friend, or even you who was completely violated.
Rape culture has also been made through decades of society defining manhood as dominant, sexually aggressive, and being able to “score," and womanhood as submissive and sexually passive. Men are pressured to seem as a “stud” and to be with lots of women. Women are supposed to be pure without dismissing a man’s refusal to sex. How all of this is supposed to correlate, I still have not been able to add up.
Have you ever heard that men can’t be raped? Because honey, I got a news flash. I have heard that lie to live through 87 lifetimes. Men can be raped just like women can be. The only reason many people believe this to be false is because men are supposed to be dominant. Women can also rape people. In 2009 a man broke into a woman’s salon in Russia and she held him captive, fed him Viagra, and raped him “a couple times." The top comments on the news story were “AND HE'S COMPLAINING ???????," “I would have gone back and tried to rob her again!," “That is so funny," “He should have crawled away with his tail between his legs, not gone to the police. What a wimp," and “And they say crime doesn't pay!” Because it was a female rapist is was totally acceptable and even humorous. Many assume men are savaging beasts who are constantly craving one thing: sex. So when they hear a man was raped, they just think, “Yeah, that guy obviously wanted it!” Do you not realize how dangerous this is, or do you just not care? Rape is crime against humanity. Not females. Humanity.
A popular meme that has consumed many timelines of social networking is the “rape sloth." Since this is a school newspaper I can’t write some of the “jokes.” It’s basically a meme that takes rape and makes it into a big joke. We are teaching our teenagers and children that rape is a funny thing. This is incredibly hazardous. Many people relate rape with being humorous because of some stupid sloth whispering in a person’s ear some repulsing “pick-up lines." That is far from okay.
Rape is a serious crime that needs to be taken more seriously. If someone ever comes to you and tells you they were raped, do not brush them off. Comfort them and make sure they find help. In today’s world, we need to look out for each. Instead of teaching our children to not be raped, how about we teach them to not rape.
If you have been raped but have no one to talk to, there is a hotline: 1.800.656.HOPE
McKenzie Messer ('15) is the literary editor, columns editor, and staff writer for The Viking Vault.
“Oh, man! I totally just raped you!” screams the 11 year old as he defeats his opponent on Call of Duty. This is an example of rape culture. Rape culture can be defined as “a concept which links rape and sexual violence to the culture of a society, and in which prevalent attitudes and practices normalize, excuse, tolerate, or even condone rape.”
Rape is not a “struggle snuggle;” it’s the unlawful compelling of a person through physical force or duress to have sexual intercourse. Defeating them. Dominating them. Humiliating them. Completely stripping their victims of their humanity and making them simple objects to torture for their own pleasure. And that is absolutely terrifying, not funny.
We accept so many things in our lives that promote rape culture that we’re not necessarily aware that we're doing it. The recent popular song “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke is a perfect example. At one point of the song he says, “The way you grab me , must wanna get nasty…I know you want it.” He is implying that she is a promiscuous girl, judged by his personal beliefs and standards, and because she is a promiscuous girl, she obviously wants to have sexual relations with him. The “blurred lines” he speaks of is this “fuzzy” line that he can’t tell if he should go ahead and try to have sex with her, or back off. Let me tell you, folks. There is no such thing as a blurred line. There is a “no” and a yes." Unless there is consent, it is a "no" and it is rape. If the person that has your eye has not made it very clear that it is a "yes," BACK OFF. Also, the T.I. part of the song is completely and utterly disgusting. I would explain why it is unbelievably inappropriate, but to even censor his lyrics, my mother would probably make me wash out my mouth with soap.
Remember the Steubenville trial, right? How many people defended the boys who committed the crime? How many people pitied the boys and fought for their freedom because they cried in court like children? Or because their athletic careers would come to a stop and their futures would be ruined? How many people blamed the victim? People tried to blame a girl who already lived through seven lives worth of trauma for something she had no control over. If you think it was the girl’s fault, even partially, think if it was your daughter, your sister, your niece, your best friend, or even you who was completely violated.
Rape culture has also been made through decades of society defining manhood as dominant, sexually aggressive, and being able to “score," and womanhood as submissive and sexually passive. Men are pressured to seem as a “stud” and to be with lots of women. Women are supposed to be pure without dismissing a man’s refusal to sex. How all of this is supposed to correlate, I still have not been able to add up.
Have you ever heard that men can’t be raped? Because honey, I got a news flash. I have heard that lie to live through 87 lifetimes. Men can be raped just like women can be. The only reason many people believe this to be false is because men are supposed to be dominant. Women can also rape people. In 2009 a man broke into a woman’s salon in Russia and she held him captive, fed him Viagra, and raped him “a couple times." The top comments on the news story were “AND HE'S COMPLAINING ???????," “I would have gone back and tried to rob her again!," “That is so funny," “He should have crawled away with his tail between his legs, not gone to the police. What a wimp," and “And they say crime doesn't pay!” Because it was a female rapist is was totally acceptable and even humorous. Many assume men are savaging beasts who are constantly craving one thing: sex. So when they hear a man was raped, they just think, “Yeah, that guy obviously wanted it!” Do you not realize how dangerous this is, or do you just not care? Rape is crime against humanity. Not females. Humanity.
A popular meme that has consumed many timelines of social networking is the “rape sloth." Since this is a school newspaper I can’t write some of the “jokes.” It’s basically a meme that takes rape and makes it into a big joke. We are teaching our teenagers and children that rape is a funny thing. This is incredibly hazardous. Many people relate rape with being humorous because of some stupid sloth whispering in a person’s ear some repulsing “pick-up lines." That is far from okay.
Rape is a serious crime that needs to be taken more seriously. If someone ever comes to you and tells you they were raped, do not brush them off. Comfort them and make sure they find help. In today’s world, we need to look out for each. Instead of teaching our children to not be raped, how about we teach them to not rape.
If you have been raped but have no one to talk to, there is a hotline: 1.800.656.HOPE
McKenzie Messer ('15) is the literary editor, columns editor, and staff writer for The Viking Vault.
If you are looking for something fun to do with your friends, or family on the last weekend of October check out this list of all the fun places to go in the fall from Pumpkin Patches to Haunted Houses we have it all of here!
Pigeon Roost Farm – U.S. 40 between Kirkersville and Hebron (near National Trail Raceway). Hours 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Oct. 31. Admission to Fun Center: $6. Along the road are pumpkins, country stores, and places for photo ops. The scenery and atmosphere are amazing, especially if you like old barns, antique equipment, ponds, and livestock. The Great Pumpkin Fun Center features “homemade” activities for kids of all ages like slides, wagons full of corn, tossing games, and an Enchanted Forest. There’s a corn maze that’s pretty challenging this year. This farm is fun and magical and best for families with young kids. (Source: Mrs. Garee)
Haunted Hoochie- Broad St SW Pataskala.Weekends until Nov 3. Admission is $20 for the main attraction. There is a VIP ticket available for $35 that gets you into another haunted house, and a faster line. Just get there sometime before 11, and hope you can get in line fast enough to go in. The Haunted Hoochie is a scary and very frightening experience for most. The actors will get in your face, and even touch your face and pull your hair! The haunted house has many actors to scare people, and tons of scary decorations too. The VIP ticket gets you into a 3-D clown haunted house, that is less scary than the house according to Alexis Absten ('15). The Haunted Hoochie is NOT for kids; it's more for older teenagers and adults. The Haunted Hoochie can be gruesome, and very frightening for many people so I advise only the toughest of the tough haunted house goers walk through this creepy attraction.
Haunted Prison Experience- Mansfield at the Ohio State Reformatory. Hours- Thursday: 7pm-11pm Friday, Saturday: 7pm to Midnight Sunday 7pm to 10 pm through Nov 2. Admission: $17 Kayla Jasper ('15) said the Haunted Prison was really cool, and she said she would love to just take a tour of the prison. She said the actors didn't have physical contact with the guests, but they did jump out from the cells. A fun fact about the Haunted Prison is that is the place where the filmed the Shaw Shank Redemption, which makes it extra neat. You can schedule times in the off season to even stay at the prison, and get the ultimate experience, but for now you will just get the experience of walking through the creepy Prison cells, and someone jumping out at you.
Lynd's Fruit Farm- Pataskala U-Pick pumpkins and apples if Friday through Sunday from 9 am-6pm. They also have a corn maze, and a market. Pumpkins- $1-$4 Apples- $12 a bag Lynd's fruit farm is a great place for families. They have a corn maze, Apple, and Pumpkin picking, and a market where you can buy cider, jams, baked goods, apples, pumpkins, and many other fall foods and decorations. McKenzie Messer ('15) said "It was very family-friendly, good price, great for photos, and you can eat as many apples as your heart desires before you leave." You can pick different apples of different weekends throughout the year, and even if you can't pick your favorite kind one weekend you can always stop in the store and pick up a bag.
Land of Illusion- 8762 Thomas Road, Middletown (Dayton, Cincinnati area) Fri-Sat 8pm-2am. Sun, 8pm-11:30pm. The price varies each day but it between $25 and $35. The Land Of Illusion is a haunted theme park that includes four haunted houses and a haunted trail. The haunted houses are themed and include a Voodoo, Mummy, Hospital, and Clown themed house that are all decorated, and include many actors. I personally have been to the Land of Illusions and highly recommend it if you want to drive a little further. It's more for teens, and adults, not young kids. It has so many cool, and scary haunted houses that it is a really fun experience. (Megan Hatfield)
The Creep Haunted House Festival- Madison County fairground (Fear grounds) 205 Elm Street, London, OH. Open through Nov. 2. For hours go to www.creepoutcolumbus.com The Creep included three Haunted houses that include special effects, and actors in all of them. According to Daniel Hatfield ('17) the creep is "scary, but not as scary as the Haunted Hoochie. There are more haunted houses and things to do, but it's not as frightening." If you are looking to be scared, but not have the nightmares the Hoochie will leave you with, The Creep is a perfect middle ground according to Hatfield.
This article was written in collaboration of all of the staff of The Viking Vault.
Pigeon Roost Farm – U.S. 40 between Kirkersville and Hebron (near National Trail Raceway). Hours 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Oct. 31. Admission to Fun Center: $6. Along the road are pumpkins, country stores, and places for photo ops. The scenery and atmosphere are amazing, especially if you like old barns, antique equipment, ponds, and livestock. The Great Pumpkin Fun Center features “homemade” activities for kids of all ages like slides, wagons full of corn, tossing games, and an Enchanted Forest. There’s a corn maze that’s pretty challenging this year. This farm is fun and magical and best for families with young kids. (Source: Mrs. Garee)
Haunted Hoochie- Broad St SW Pataskala.Weekends until Nov 3. Admission is $20 for the main attraction. There is a VIP ticket available for $35 that gets you into another haunted house, and a faster line. Just get there sometime before 11, and hope you can get in line fast enough to go in. The Haunted Hoochie is a scary and very frightening experience for most. The actors will get in your face, and even touch your face and pull your hair! The haunted house has many actors to scare people, and tons of scary decorations too. The VIP ticket gets you into a 3-D clown haunted house, that is less scary than the house according to Alexis Absten ('15). The Haunted Hoochie is NOT for kids; it's more for older teenagers and adults. The Haunted Hoochie can be gruesome, and very frightening for many people so I advise only the toughest of the tough haunted house goers walk through this creepy attraction.
Haunted Prison Experience- Mansfield at the Ohio State Reformatory. Hours- Thursday: 7pm-11pm Friday, Saturday: 7pm to Midnight Sunday 7pm to 10 pm through Nov 2. Admission: $17 Kayla Jasper ('15) said the Haunted Prison was really cool, and she said she would love to just take a tour of the prison. She said the actors didn't have physical contact with the guests, but they did jump out from the cells. A fun fact about the Haunted Prison is that is the place where the filmed the Shaw Shank Redemption, which makes it extra neat. You can schedule times in the off season to even stay at the prison, and get the ultimate experience, but for now you will just get the experience of walking through the creepy Prison cells, and someone jumping out at you.
Lynd's Fruit Farm- Pataskala U-Pick pumpkins and apples if Friday through Sunday from 9 am-6pm. They also have a corn maze, and a market. Pumpkins- $1-$4 Apples- $12 a bag Lynd's fruit farm is a great place for families. They have a corn maze, Apple, and Pumpkin picking, and a market where you can buy cider, jams, baked goods, apples, pumpkins, and many other fall foods and decorations. McKenzie Messer ('15) said "It was very family-friendly, good price, great for photos, and you can eat as many apples as your heart desires before you leave." You can pick different apples of different weekends throughout the year, and even if you can't pick your favorite kind one weekend you can always stop in the store and pick up a bag.
Land of Illusion- 8762 Thomas Road, Middletown (Dayton, Cincinnati area) Fri-Sat 8pm-2am. Sun, 8pm-11:30pm. The price varies each day but it between $25 and $35. The Land Of Illusion is a haunted theme park that includes four haunted houses and a haunted trail. The haunted houses are themed and include a Voodoo, Mummy, Hospital, and Clown themed house that are all decorated, and include many actors. I personally have been to the Land of Illusions and highly recommend it if you want to drive a little further. It's more for teens, and adults, not young kids. It has so many cool, and scary haunted houses that it is a really fun experience. (Megan Hatfield)
The Creep Haunted House Festival- Madison County fairground (Fear grounds) 205 Elm Street, London, OH. Open through Nov. 2. For hours go to www.creepoutcolumbus.com The Creep included three Haunted houses that include special effects, and actors in all of them. According to Daniel Hatfield ('17) the creep is "scary, but not as scary as the Haunted Hoochie. There are more haunted houses and things to do, but it's not as frightening." If you are looking to be scared, but not have the nightmares the Hoochie will leave you with, The Creep is a perfect middle ground according to Hatfield.
This article was written in collaboration of all of the staff of The Viking Vault.
Under the Desk:
Space adventure, it's an adventure in space!
By: McKenzie Messer
Let’s talk about space, shall we. Why? Because space just so happens to be one of the sickest things the human race has knowledge of, excuse you.
Two million pounds of diamonds fall from the sky every single year on Saturn. That’s right, folks. It’s raining diamonds. One pound of diamond is $56,647,130. And I already did the math for you lazy folks, and that’s $113,294,260,000,000. Over 100 trillion dollars a year is raining from the heavens. A YEAR. Saturn is also incredibly light. If you got a big glass of water and sat Saturn in it, it would float in it!
If you think it’s cool that there’s a planet that rains diamonds, well, just you wait. There is a planet that is literally made out of diamonds! It is not in the solar system and it’s called PSR J1719-1438 b. Charming name, isn’t it? The original PSR J1719-1438 went BOOM and is no longer in existence, hence we have b. It’s approximately 3,900 light years from earth. The gleaming planet was found in Australia on August 25th, 2011. Well, technically Whovians found it on June 14, 2008. But who’s counting!
Near our galaxy, scientists have found a dust cloud that isn’t like an any ordinary dust cloud. This dust cloud, name Sagittarius B2, consists largely of ethyl formate. Ethyl formate is what give rum it’s smell and raspberries their taste. A GIANT DUST CLOUD THAT SMELLS LIKE RUM AND TASTES LIKE RASPBERRIES. One small problem though. It also contains propyl cyanide which can kill you. But I’m taking my chances. Raspberries taste good.
The closest planet to our sun is Mercury. However it has the possibility to be colder than the farthest “official” (we’ll never forget you, Pluto) planet, Neptune. It can reach down to a chilly -280 degrees Fahrenheit. Mercury doesn’t have the atmospheric pressure that is needed to trap heat. So instead of combusting from heat, you’ll just freeze to death!!!!!
On a serious note, space is really, really awesome. Pick up some astronomy books and start looking and your mind will be out of this world.
McKenzie Messer ('15) is the literary editor, columns editor, and staff writer for The Viking Vault.
Let’s talk about space, shall we. Why? Because space just so happens to be one of the sickest things the human race has knowledge of, excuse you.
Two million pounds of diamonds fall from the sky every single year on Saturn. That’s right, folks. It’s raining diamonds. One pound of diamond is $56,647,130. And I already did the math for you lazy folks, and that’s $113,294,260,000,000. Over 100 trillion dollars a year is raining from the heavens. A YEAR. Saturn is also incredibly light. If you got a big glass of water and sat Saturn in it, it would float in it!
If you think it’s cool that there’s a planet that rains diamonds, well, just you wait. There is a planet that is literally made out of diamonds! It is not in the solar system and it’s called PSR J1719-1438 b. Charming name, isn’t it? The original PSR J1719-1438 went BOOM and is no longer in existence, hence we have b. It’s approximately 3,900 light years from earth. The gleaming planet was found in Australia on August 25th, 2011. Well, technically Whovians found it on June 14, 2008. But who’s counting!
Near our galaxy, scientists have found a dust cloud that isn’t like an any ordinary dust cloud. This dust cloud, name Sagittarius B2, consists largely of ethyl formate. Ethyl formate is what give rum it’s smell and raspberries their taste. A GIANT DUST CLOUD THAT SMELLS LIKE RUM AND TASTES LIKE RASPBERRIES. One small problem though. It also contains propyl cyanide which can kill you. But I’m taking my chances. Raspberries taste good.
The closest planet to our sun is Mercury. However it has the possibility to be colder than the farthest “official” (we’ll never forget you, Pluto) planet, Neptune. It can reach down to a chilly -280 degrees Fahrenheit. Mercury doesn’t have the atmospheric pressure that is needed to trap heat. So instead of combusting from heat, you’ll just freeze to death!!!!!
On a serious note, space is really, really awesome. Pick up some astronomy books and start looking and your mind will be out of this world.
McKenzie Messer ('15) is the literary editor, columns editor, and staff writer for The Viking Vault.
Fashion Advice:
For Halloween!
McKenzie: Halloween is one of the best holidays of the year.
Trevor: It’s my favorite holiday (aside from my birthday) because I get to be anything my mom will let me be and eat all the yummy razor blade-filled chocolates.
M: Candy is a big part about of Halloween, but there’s something bigger, more important. Halloween is when everyone can dress how they want and not be criticized.
T: Halloween is when I can wear a fake afro and booty shorts and not get made fun of or dress up as something mega alternative that none of my mainstream peers will understand.
M: Some fun things to try this year is to switch society’s sexualized gender roles.
T: This year I was going to go in the direction in a sassy Honey Boo-Boo or maybe a Lt. Dangle from the hit TV show Reno 911.
M: I planned on being alternative and dressing up as Hulk Hogan because everyone knows the disgustingness that is fake wrestling.
T: Hey, watch it. Wrestling is 100% legitimate.
M: But are they hipsters? Exactly. The best way to have a very hipster Halloween is to simply wear some of your old Coachella gear and make up a title for your costume!
T: When I think of a hipster Halloween I think of your average hipster dressed as a jock or soccer mom or any other average suburbanite.
M: This is a true statement, pop-punk king. You could also go as an accountant who everyone knows has nothing better to do with their lives because they’re dull, non-original, non-organic human beings.
T: Kind of like your sister, right? If you’re looking to have a wicked sick pop-punk Halloween you could dress up as Hank The Pigeon or maybe have some extra sleepy eyes and double boney knees
M: Another hot pop-punk costume this season is to dress up as a pizza box.
T: Or maybe just go all-out and be an anchor
M: And have your pretty lady friend as a Starbuck’s mermaid. A hipster and pop-punk Halloween happily ever after.
Trevor White ('15) is the extra editor and a staff writer for the Viking Vault. McKenzie Messer ('15) is the columns editor, the literary editor, and a staff writer for the Viking Vault.
Trevor: It’s my favorite holiday (aside from my birthday) because I get to be anything my mom will let me be and eat all the yummy razor blade-filled chocolates.
M: Candy is a big part about of Halloween, but there’s something bigger, more important. Halloween is when everyone can dress how they want and not be criticized.
T: Halloween is when I can wear a fake afro and booty shorts and not get made fun of or dress up as something mega alternative that none of my mainstream peers will understand.
M: Some fun things to try this year is to switch society’s sexualized gender roles.
T: This year I was going to go in the direction in a sassy Honey Boo-Boo or maybe a Lt. Dangle from the hit TV show Reno 911.
M: I planned on being alternative and dressing up as Hulk Hogan because everyone knows the disgustingness that is fake wrestling.
T: Hey, watch it. Wrestling is 100% legitimate.
M: But are they hipsters? Exactly. The best way to have a very hipster Halloween is to simply wear some of your old Coachella gear and make up a title for your costume!
T: When I think of a hipster Halloween I think of your average hipster dressed as a jock or soccer mom or any other average suburbanite.
M: This is a true statement, pop-punk king. You could also go as an accountant who everyone knows has nothing better to do with their lives because they’re dull, non-original, non-organic human beings.
T: Kind of like your sister, right? If you’re looking to have a wicked sick pop-punk Halloween you could dress up as Hank The Pigeon or maybe have some extra sleepy eyes and double boney knees
M: Another hot pop-punk costume this season is to dress up as a pizza box.
T: Or maybe just go all-out and be an anchor
M: And have your pretty lady friend as a Starbuck’s mermaid. A hipster and pop-punk Halloween happily ever after.
Trevor White ('15) is the extra editor and a staff writer for the Viking Vault. McKenzie Messer ('15) is the columns editor, the literary editor, and a staff writer for the Viking Vault.
Generalizations can be harmful
By Megan Hatfield
Labels, and generalizations can often times be used to describe people more than their morals or personalities. These stereotypes is what causes crowds or "cliques" to form. The idea of "The Plastics" in the movie Mean Girls had to stem from somewhere. I caught myself the other day calling a huge group of people trashy, and then I realized I don't even really know them. I was so mad at myself for being so shallow, and I started to think about if people put labels and generalizations on me, instead of judging me after they know my personality. I then started to wonder where the ideas of generalizations and stereotypes come from. They are everywhere in the media, especially in movies. The movies about high school are a stereotype also, thinking that all attractive girls are a part of the "popular" crowd and date all the "jock" boys. So does real life high school influence the plot and characters of high school movies, or do the movies influence the cliques formed in high school?
Mean Girls isn't the only movie that is centered around stereotypes and cliques. In the movie 16 Candles there is a character in the movie referred to as "the geek" the whole movie, and in High School Musical the song "Stick to the Status Quo" discourages the characters from pursuing their talents, and interests and tells them to just do what they are expected to do. These movies are all harmless, and just for entertainment, but it's scarier to think that the high school social system in movies is portrayed by cliques determined by their clothing, money, attitude, and appearance. At our school it seems that most people hang out with people that have the same interests as them. The media portrays high school incorrectly in positive and negative ways. High School Musical portrays high school as perfect and flawless, while Mean Girls is full of bullying, cliques, and superficial social lives. Realistically, high school is somewhere in between the perfect musical, and the evil school.
Generalizations can be good, bad, and/or indifferent, but they can affect people in many ways. The world would be a much better place without cliques, stereotypes, and generalizations. Everyone would be accepted based on their individual personalities, instead of being judged by what they do, what they wear, or what people think they are like, not what they truly are like.
Megan Hatfield ('15) is the features editor and a staff writer for the Viking Vault.
Labels, and generalizations can often times be used to describe people more than their morals or personalities. These stereotypes is what causes crowds or "cliques" to form. The idea of "The Plastics" in the movie Mean Girls had to stem from somewhere. I caught myself the other day calling a huge group of people trashy, and then I realized I don't even really know them. I was so mad at myself for being so shallow, and I started to think about if people put labels and generalizations on me, instead of judging me after they know my personality. I then started to wonder where the ideas of generalizations and stereotypes come from. They are everywhere in the media, especially in movies. The movies about high school are a stereotype also, thinking that all attractive girls are a part of the "popular" crowd and date all the "jock" boys. So does real life high school influence the plot and characters of high school movies, or do the movies influence the cliques formed in high school?
Mean Girls isn't the only movie that is centered around stereotypes and cliques. In the movie 16 Candles there is a character in the movie referred to as "the geek" the whole movie, and in High School Musical the song "Stick to the Status Quo" discourages the characters from pursuing their talents, and interests and tells them to just do what they are expected to do. These movies are all harmless, and just for entertainment, but it's scarier to think that the high school social system in movies is portrayed by cliques determined by their clothing, money, attitude, and appearance. At our school it seems that most people hang out with people that have the same interests as them. The media portrays high school incorrectly in positive and negative ways. High School Musical portrays high school as perfect and flawless, while Mean Girls is full of bullying, cliques, and superficial social lives. Realistically, high school is somewhere in between the perfect musical, and the evil school.
Generalizations can be good, bad, and/or indifferent, but they can affect people in many ways. The world would be a much better place without cliques, stereotypes, and generalizations. Everyone would be accepted based on their individual personalities, instead of being judged by what they do, what they wear, or what people think they are like, not what they truly are like.
Megan Hatfield ('15) is the features editor and a staff writer for the Viking Vault.
Everyday I’m Hosslin’:
Inside Student Leadership
By Zach Hossler
NORTHRIDGE: To start off, during the food drive week the student body and teachers were able to collect over 5,500 cans for the Johnstown food pantry. Congratulations to all who participated this year.
In December the student leadership class is making plans to bring Christmas to the “little vikes." The class will run many different craft tables, games, and other holiday activities for the kids. There also may be a surprise from a certain holiday figure. The class is really excited and busy making preparations for this event that includes the students of the Primary, Intermediate, and Middle schools.
In November the class will be taking orders for the basketball student section t-shirts designed by seniors Jacob Burke and A.J Mooney. Stay tuned to the Vault for a photo of the shirt design as soon as we can access it.
Next week, on November 7th, the freshman class is sponsoring a Powder Puff football game. So, if you’re a girl, make a team and get out there and have fun.
Zach Hossler ('14) is a Senior Editor for the Viking Vault
NORTHRIDGE: To start off, during the food drive week the student body and teachers were able to collect over 5,500 cans for the Johnstown food pantry. Congratulations to all who participated this year.
In December the student leadership class is making plans to bring Christmas to the “little vikes." The class will run many different craft tables, games, and other holiday activities for the kids. There also may be a surprise from a certain holiday figure. The class is really excited and busy making preparations for this event that includes the students of the Primary, Intermediate, and Middle schools.
In November the class will be taking orders for the basketball student section t-shirts designed by seniors Jacob Burke and A.J Mooney. Stay tuned to the Vault for a photo of the shirt design as soon as we can access it.
Next week, on November 7th, the freshman class is sponsoring a Powder Puff football game. So, if you’re a girl, make a team and get out there and have fun.
Zach Hossler ('14) is a Senior Editor for the Viking Vault