opinion highlights

A look into student opinions and the opinion section

THIS WEEK IN TWEETS

IT’S TIME THE SUPER-WEALTHY AND BIG CORPORATIONS PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE IN TAXES. POTUS 9/14/21

OPINION: AOC ACCOMPLISHED

HER MET GALA MISSION. BUT PERFORMATIVE SOCIAL JUSTICE IS STILL A PROBLEM.

THE WASHINGTON POST

9/15/21

“TO BE CLEAR, I BLAME LARRY NASSAR AND I ALSO BLAME AN ENTIRE SYSTEM THAT ENABLED AND PERPETRATED HIS ABUSE,” SIMONE BILES GIVES HER OPENING STATEMENT AT A SENATE HEARING ON THE FBI’S HANDLING OF THE LARRY MSNBC 9/15/21

by nora lynn

CHEERLEADING, NOT LEADING ON

Cheerlearders should not be viewed as an object of sexual attraction

IF ALL THAT is really needed to describe a cheerleader is a team member that performs organized cheer for a sports team, audience or competition, why is it that as soon as you read the word “cheerleader,” the image of a woman in skin-tight cropped top and booty shorts comes to mind?

While they’re required to walk out on the field in nothing but — let’s be honest — a glorified bathing suit, the biggest issue with cheerleaders is that people view them as objects to sexualize rather than people with lives and aspirations outside of their pom-pom-shaking sport.

Cheerleaders, especially those in the NFL, are portrayed as “dumb blondes” in an outfit that doesn’t leave much to the imagination. These negative connotations dismiss — and even undermine — the accomplishments they’ve had.

Ultimately, the backbone of the stereotype are their uniforms. Uniforms are being blamed for issues created by people who can’t get it out of their heads that the attire or the act of being a cheerleader is the cause of being sexualized — that’s caused by misogynistic people using their outfits as an excuse.

The only real problem with cheerleader uniforms is that many are concerned with kids — especially little girls — seeing them infusing the deep stemmed social construct that women’s bodies have to be covered to be modest and appropriate.

Some worry that kids will want to wear the clothing that they see cheerleaders in and the uniforms will make them want to dress “sexy” too, leaving them more susceptible to the will of desires. However, a tank top and mini skirt won’t turn a rational human being into a pedophile.

The teams that provide the uniforms should allow the cheer squad to have a say in what they wear. If those uniforms happen to be more revealing than you’re comfortable with, shut it down, because it’s not your body.

NFL team owners getting rid of cheerleaders for their “scantily clad” attire to solve a problem that other people create by objectifying them with their uniforms and other merchandise is like making a kid throw away their candy because their friends keep trying to steal it.

There are only six teams — including the Giants — out of 32 in the NFL that don’t have a cheer team, though some have a designated “spirit squad.” Are the Giants really a “classier” team because they don’t have cheerleaders? Or is that just proof that cheerleaders are still seen as sexual objects?

It has to be realized that society’s issue with cheerleaders is actually an issue with the sexualization of cheerleaders — which they have no control over.

STUDENT TAKES

DO YOU THINK THAT CHEERLEADERS RE INAPPROPRIATELY SEXUALIZED?

*Instagram poll of 253 votes

YES NO 68% 32%

DO YOU THINK THERE’S MAJOR DIFFERENCES IN KIDS THAT GO TO PRIVATE VERSUS PUBLIC SCHOOL?

*Instagram poll of 292 votes

YES NO 76% 24%

DO YOU THINK THAT IT IS BAD TO OBSESS ABOUT HOMECOMING EARLY?

*Instagram poll of 287 votes

YES NO 53% 47%

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