EAVE NO ROOM FOR INDIVIDUALITY
NERD
Super smart in academics Scrawny Dresses nice Wears glasses and probably has braces
Media creates blurred line between reality and fiction
JOCK
• Athletic • Dumbed down • Muscular • Wears name brand clothes
Hailey Christoff
More than a stereotype Each of the figures here represent a common stereotype. However, behind stereotypes are people that are more than what is used to stereotype them. A “nerd” may be a lover of sports, and a “bub” may be a musician.
BUB
• Wears boots and flannels • Has a “country” accent • Drives a truck • Hangouts at Taco Bell and Walmart
aspect and how characters overcome it, it makes me feel more involved in the story,” Caitlyn Bannister (10) said. BannisFor the past decade, the media has be- ter comments on how relatable shows can come a leading element of high school been seen and understood more as reality trends and stereotypes. From the Marvel than fiction and false stereotypes. By conCinematic Universe to the “The Office” trast, Watts criticized how movies display show, media entertainment has become friendships as invalid, referring to the the driving force of students morals and chemistry in “13 Reasons Why.” beliefs. As technology advances so will “‘13 Reasons Why,’ for example, has media influence, but how shown things about will students understand suicide that students and embrace this? shouldn’t ever have to Brooklyn Watts (10) hear,” Watts said. An shares how the mainopinion story written stream media and enby Mark Henick, CNN tertainment is harmful journalist, stated how towards student relationcontroversial shows I THINK THIS the ships within their every“narrative choice, while [RELATABLE TV an artistic one, is also a day lives. “As many students SHOWS] IS BECOM- potentially devastating are able to hide behind a ING MORE COM- setback.” Agreeing along screen, they tend to say with Watts, Henick also MON BECAUSE mentions how they ficthings they wouldn’t normally say face to face,” INDIVIDUALS ARE tionalized and made suiWatts said. BECOMING MORE cide more of a simple but Particularly with movdevastating thing caused OPEN ABOUT THEIR by bullying, altogether. ies, Watts believes that STRUGGLES, AND the exhibited messages Media on the student are negative and harm I HONESTLY FEEL body as a whole can be students’ relationships as a way for students LIKE IT IS A BEAUTI- seen and stereotypes. to relieve feelings and FUL THING...” common stereotypes they “Relationships have been characterized as feel on a regular basis. Caitlyn Bannister (10) something that they are “I think this [relatable not in reality,” Watts said. TV shows] is becoming However, television has created a con- more common because individuals are trast to this negativity. Television has be- becoming more open about their strugcome a place where students can relate to gles, and I honestly feel like it is a beaustruggles with mental illnesses, such as de- tiful thing when people have that moment pression and anxiety. dealing with a similar situation,” Bannister “When I find shows that include this said. Staff Writer
EMO
• Wears black clothes and dark makeup • Social outcast • Depressed By Justice LaMaster
Features
December 2019
13
