Category: Opinion

The Chipotle Revolution

~ jkcrawley1 ~ Leave a comment

by Joshua Crawley
Johns Creek High School

When the CEO of Chipotle, Brian Nicoll, came out and made a video contradicting Chipotle naysayers, most people didn’t know what to think.

“We always want to give people big portions that get them excited about the food,” he said.

There were trends of people holding up their phone and recording their order, and walking out mid- order if they felt they didn’t get enough food., TikToks also showed people testing the portion difference when ordering food in person versus online pickup. Nicoll said in his video that if you wanted more food, all you had to do was give the employee a little head nod. Many were skeptical and continued to do what they had been doing.

The saga started when Keith Lee, a popular food critic called out Chipotle for serving sizes in a Tiktok video. He complained about his portion of chicken and the quality of food in the rest of the bowl. That prompted many others to come out and call out Chipotle as well and started a revolution. 

A few weeks after Lee’s video, a rumor was swirling that if you recorded Chipotle while they made your order, they would give you more food. People flocked to the restaurant to try it and some went to extreme measures to be funny. One man brought in a whole camera crew to stand behind him while he ordered. Some Chipotles eventually started telling people they could not record. They said it was disrespectful to the employees.

Next, people started the walk-out trend. People would leave the restaurant and force Chipotle to throw out the food if they felt they weren’t receiving enough food. This became a viral trend on TikTok, setting the Chipotle revolution in full force. People were unwilling to fork over their money if Chipotle was unwilling to fork over better portions.

Many teenagers had opinions on the portion sizes that contradicted those of adults. Devin Wang, a rising senior from Huntington Beach, California said depending on who he’s with will dictate whether or not he pays. He goes to Chipotle about once a week and likes the restaurant. 

“I’m a little disappointed with the protein portions,” he said., “But they’re just trying not to get fired.”

Rising high school freshman Amari Hines of Lawrenceville, Georgia calls himself a “Chipotlean.” He said he goes 3-4 times a week.

“I think they’re pretty consistent with the meat,” he said.

Chipotle will continue to be under heavy scrutiny until they find a solution customers don’t complain about. Some have suggested they get measuring cups so the portions are the same every single time. Regardless, Chipotle continues to make a large profit and continues to run a very successful business. Nicoll feels they are doing a great job.

“Our goal is to get people really excited about what I believe is really delicious food.”

Count 34: How right-wing politics is running off Gen Z

~ madisonconnor17 ~ Leave a comment

by Madison Connor
Hebron Christian Academy

The politics ruined it for me.

I grew up in a conservative Christian environment, being taught that women should be submissive and obedient, being taught that gay people were wrong, and guns are OK but abortion is not. This is exactly what caused me to run away from Christianity. The hatred spread from a loving religion seemed hypocritical, especially considering that God is supposed to see every sin as equal, meaning that if one thinks being gay is a sin, then the gay person is just as bad as one single lie told. However, I eventually realized that right-wing politics is what is causing so many to run away from the church. 

Another  factor for me, and many others in my generation, is the obsession with Donald Trump. The former reality star lost many of us when it was uncovered that he said, “Grab ‘em by the pussy,” when referring to women.

Many people have taken issue with this, and rightfully so. The former President clearly made a sexist statement, even if some argue it was taken “out of context,”although I’m not sure how this could be taken in context. Regardless, many young people have disdain towards Donald Trump over his racist tendencies, many sexual assault accusations, 34 felony counts, sexism, xenophobia and many of his other qualities that seemingly contradict everything Jesus Christ stood for. However, many right-wing voters — including conservative “Christians” — adore him.

Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Green even went so far as to compare Trump to Jesus. “President Trump is a convicted felon. Well, you want to know something? The man that I worship is also a convicted felon. And he was murdered on a Roman cross.”

It is crucial to remember that being arrested does not make you a hero. Several Nazis have been previously arrested, and everyone knows they were far from heroes. Aside from this logical inaccuracy, many believe that the Bible is pro-life in the same context of pro-life right wing voters. The Bible is used too often to justify the wrong issue, and to oppress groups who have been oppressed for far too long. This leads young people to  back away from religion due to the conservative aura that clouds it. Many young people see the MAGA Republicans purchasing Trump’s Bible(which was totally blasphemous), and decide they want absolutely no part in it, and who can blame them? The idea that Trump is some sort of Jesus in the flesh, being waved in front of Gen Z’s faces, makes many opt out of religion, when in reality, many of Trump’s positions are in stark contrast to what Jesus stood for.  However, just as in the past, today’s extreme conservatives use the Bible as a weapon.

“I think that they’ll use religion to justify the bad things they’ve done, like with slavery like they would tell the people they were capturing that it’s because of the Bible, and they make it an evil thing but it’s not supposed to be,” a classmate told me. 

Just as slavery was a core issue for conservative voters two centuries ago, right-wing candidates are honing in on issues of race, gender and sexuality. My generation has been known to be extremely open minded to those topics, causing them to veer away from the close-mindedness that characterizes many Conservative beliefs. Dr. Joe Dennis, a college professor at Piedmont University and Methodist Sunday School teacher, said he notices that young Christians are not aligned politically with older Christians.

“In my experience young people really don’t care about issues like race, gender, sexuality, they’re more concerned with the content of people’s character,” he said. 

Gen Z is the most LGBTQIA+ generation that we have seen so far. Historically, Christianity and Catholicism have not been welcoming to those who identify within that margin, and as a result, Gen Z has not welcomed those religions in return. 

Another contentious issue is abortion. While being “pro-life” stands as a core issue among conservative Christians, Gen Z largely disagrees. Interestingly, Judaism sides with Gen Z. 

“Jewish law does not share the belief common among abortion opponents that life begins at conception, nor does it legally consider the fetus to be a full person deserving of protections equal to those accorded to human beings.”

A fetus is not  a living being, and does not have the same rights as the mother. Abortion is especially encouraged if the mothers life is in danger.

The stark contrast of Judaism and its beliefs about abortion, compared to Christianity in the modern American context (which stemmed from Judaism) is far too important as well as ironic to ignore, almost begging the question of how on earth did conservatives take that stance? Honestly, who knows.

But, the conservative and heavy right wing political beliefs that seem to strangle American Christianity are far too potent for Gen Z to ignore, which is exactly what drives them away from religion. The teachings of Jesus almost completely contradict the statements and beliefs of conservative Christian’s, making modern Christianity and the Bibles’ current interpretation almost seem completely distorted or lost. Because it is.

Right-wing Christianity isn’t real Christianity. 

Are Parents Slowly Tearing Down Youth Soccer?

~ jkcrawley1 ~ Leave a comment

by Joshua Crawley
Johns Creek High School

“Ref make the damn call!” Two minutes into the game and the parents were already going. “Referee how is that not a f****** foul?!” Maybe because the kid tripped over his own feet. “This ref is shit!” Not even halftime yet and I’ve heard everything and more. “Ref go to h***!” These are 9 year old kids out here playing recreational soccer, it can’t be that deep to you.

These were the kind of things I heard the first game I worked as an assistant referee. My first game ever. From the minute the first whistle was blown, it seemed like the parents were more worried about me than their own kids out on the field. They yelled and verbally abused me the whole game.

It ranged from screaming, to profanity, to things 8 year old kids just shouldn’t be hearing. Every time I made or didn’t make a call, it seemed like a fire went off behind me. I remember one dad slamming his hat on the ground and stomping and screaming at me and my other referees. Sometimes, they would even come up behind me and yell. 

Now that I have much more experience as a referee, I am more composed under circumstances like those. At the time though, the whole thing had me a little shaken. Not too long ago, I was refereeing a final of a tournament all by myself. The parents were worse than the first time, at one point a dad stepped onto the field arguing a call I made. At that point, I stopped the game for a minute and told the whole sideline to let the kids play. I tried to say it as confidently as I could, but under these circumstances, it became hard. 

This is just a small example of a bigger problem though. Across the United States, parents abusing referees is turning into a major problem. Just a few years ago in 2021 in California, a man angry about a call in a recreational game of 11 year olds ran across the field and decked a referee that was half of his size. The parent received a red card, but the issue was clear to see. Parents have gotten out of control in youth soccer.

 Another problem with this is that they teach their kids that this is ok. That it’s ok to act like that when you don’t get your way, that it’s ok to mistreat officials, that it’s ok to be aggressive with people whenever you want. At the end of the day, parents have to do better.

Sometimes, parents wonder why they don’t have enough referees. This is why. Earlier this year in February, in Pennsylvania, the state referee administrator announced that they were in need of many referees to let games go on as scheduled. CBS News reported that the main reason for the lack of referees stems from people unwilling to deal with unruly spectators. It’s not only Pennsylvania though, as across the country, referees are needed in many places. Many of these referees are teenagers, and when crowds of 50 year old men are yelling at us forever, it becomes a lot to deal with. 

Regardless of what’s happening on the field, parents’ behavior is not condoned. Even if referees do make mistakes, parents need to be patient. We don’t have all the technology and perfection required to get every single call spot on at the youth level. With that being said, referees are human and just like other people. Parents need to focus on cheering and supporting their kids and focusing on the game itself. The referees are there to make the game run, but lately parents seem to want to make the game about the refs. 

Since I was a kid, my parents have always respected referees, so I have followed suit. Other than the occasional “c’mon ref,” they don’t do too much. A “c’mon ref” is ok. What’s not ok is the screaming profanities, the inappropriate comments, and disrupting the flow of the game. My parents come to the game and cheer on my team. A bad call here and there goes unnoticed because the game is so fast and they make the game about us players. When parents stop worrying about the refs, the game flows and is a lot more enjoyable to watch. 

“Ref make the damn call!” Sometimes refs want to react, but they are told that is not their place. Solutions to this are hard to come by right now. For me one time out of all my times refereeing, an assignor came over and told the parent he needed to calm down or leave. That calmed the man down until the assignor was out of earshot, and then he was at it again. Parents are going to be parents, but they need to be better. 

Libraries necessary for free-flow of information

~ marintorres22 ~ Leave a comment

by Marin Torres
Oconee High School

Every weekend my mom would make an effort to take my brothers and I to the library. I can only imagine what this looked like to other people. My mom would often bring a laundry basket filled to the brim with books, followed by three kids, all carrying books. The library played an integral role in my childhood and the childhood of many others.

In the current political climate, there have been efforts to defund government funding for libraries through budget cuts. According to PBS, the Missouri House voted to cut all funding for libraries in its version of the state’s annual budget. If this budget were to be passed, it would eliminate an estimated $4.5 million in funding for public libraries in Missouri. The state senate, however, rejected this budget and restored the library funds in the Missouri budget.

Although the budget for defunding the Missouri Library did not pass, the effort to defund public libraries still runs rampant. Lawmakers in Texas, Michigan, Iowa, and Indiana have all made the effort to try and defund their local libraries, whether that be through legislation, budget cuts, or lack of resources. 

Public libraries serve the public with unlimited books for both reading and research. Providing books free of charge can not only continually help underserved people, but can even foster a children’s love of reading. Libraries provide education and information to everyone, regardless of socio-economic status.

I had grown up at the library and I am a firm believer that the local library is what caused me to love reading. 

Ella Murrow, a resident of Watkinsville, Ga, recalls the library being one of the highlights of their childhood. “I remember loving the library and all the different kinds of activities they would hold,” they said, “when choosing books, it was like a choose your own adventure type of situation. There were endless opportunities of what books I could choose and what I wanted to read”

Accessible internet connection further continues to be a vital reason why libraries play an important role within communities. High speed internet access free of charge at libraries benefits students without access to the internet, families who do not have fast internet, and often, in rural areas, this can be the only source of internet for some people. This day in age, it is vital to have some sort of connection to the internet, and public libraries fill in this gap. 

According to a survey conducted by the Gates Foundation, nearly one-third of Americans age 14 or older–roughly 77 million people–used a public library computer or wireless network to access the Internet in the past year. Moreover, overall, 44 percent of people living below the federal poverty line used computers and the Internet at their public libraries.

Ensuring that people have access to the internet within the community is crucial in making sure that people have the equal opportunity to succeed. Public libraries across the country provide the essential need for the internet especially within rural and underserved areas.

In addition to access to internet connection, libraries often hold community events which supply educational resources on the use of the internet. Technology-related services, projects, and programs are also available at libraries. 

At libraries, there is often a sense of community that cannot be replicated. Many local libraries serve as a community center, with free, or low, cost in-person clubs and events the community can attend. This could include children storytime, to family game nights. Students can study at libraries which provide quiet, safe study environments. 

According to UNESCO, 250 million children are failing to acquire basic literacy skills. Not having basic literacy skills as a kid, will only continue to harm them as they grow older. Not acquiring basic literacy skills can be due to many factors, but one of the underlying factors is poverty. 

For less fortunate families who do not have the resources for their children, libraries hold a tremendous role in ensuring that kids are experiencing the important use of how to read and write. Through having storytimes open for the public, as well crafts related to books, helps foster a love of literature for kids. 

Many memories of mine are at the library looking through the endless shelves of books. I am forever grateful that my parents made an effort to take my brothers and I to the local library. The library is one of the most important institutions in our country. Not only does the library provide people with accessible internet and tools to help them succeed with their career and livelihood, the library provides endless opportunities to children within the community.

The Sound of Scandal: Cultural Impact of Celebrity Controversy  

~ elizamollyfox ~ Leave a comment

by Eliza Fox
Bethseda Chevy Chase High School

Can we still appreciate a masterpiece if its creator has committed disgraceful actions? I think that you can separate the art from the artist, appreciating their work doesn’t mean endorsing their behaviors. By drawing the line of separation we show our love for the art itself, not the creators personal beliefs.  

Kanye West, a well known rapper and producer is well known for his groundbreaking music and his controversial statements. In 2013 he made an appearance on the Breakfast Club, a New York radio show. When being interviewed he made an inappropriate antisemitic remark. 

Artists are still receiving the money, so stopping listening to an artist’s music is stopping yourself from listening to music you like. I do not support buying merch or going to concerts but I don’t believe that listening to the music for your own pleasure is wrong.

“Black people don’t have the same level of connections as Jewish people. Black people don’t have the same connections as oil people,” West said. “You know we don’t know nobody that got a nice house. You know we don’t know nobody with paper like that, that we can go to when we’re down.” 

I am Jewish, and my culture is very important to me. There have always been terrible stereotypes of Jewish people. They portray them as greedy or controlling. The stereotypes are not only hurtful but are also extremely discriminatory and affect how comfortable people are expressing their culture without getting hate. 

Celebrities often have a strong influence on their fans, particularly uneducated individuals who admire them. Some West fans adopted his views. 

On October 29, 2022 after the Florida-Georgia game, an individual projected a statement on the screen expressing their agreement with Kanye West’s anti-Semitic remarks, sparking a troubling wave of hateful comments. 

The Rolling Stone explains the numerous comments that West has made. From 2016 to 2024 Kanye West has made many comments that are not okay. These instances show a pattern of hate speech. West has quite a record of absurd comments. Although he suffers from Bipolar disorder it does not excuse his actions. 

West is not the only artist who has said controversial things, famous country artist Morgan Wallen has been arrested twice for reckless endangerment and arrested on public intoxication/disorderly conduct. According to People magazine, Wallen used racial slurs and had to publicly acknowledge and take full responsibility for his words. 

Wallen’s removal from Saturday Night Live serves as a key example of the consequences regarding his actions. His use of a racial slur led to quick repercussions, as society stood up against him. This is a great example of the importance of holding famous figures accountable.

West and Wallen are just two out of many artists that have done something wrong. I picked them as I enjoy both of their music. Although I do not believe what so ever with their words or actions. While still enjoying their music, it is crucial to acknowledge and remember their wrongdoing. As fans, it is important to still hold them accountable for their actions, it ensures that our appreciation for their talent doesn’t overthrow our core principles.

Is the movie industry slowly killing actors?

~ ashleybrrghs ~ Leave a comment

by Ashley Burroughs
Arabia Mountain High School

On March 17, 2024 the documentary series “Quiet On Set:The Dark Side of Kids TV” came out and unveiled many  shocking truths of the entertainment industry. Children who grew up in the 1990s and early 2000s were hooked on  Nickelodeon, watching lighthearted shows that were filmed for kids and starred  kids. The documentary uncovered stories of workplace harassment that were both shocking and  heartbreaking to hear. 

Familiar stars like Drake Bell spoke out about the harassment that he faced when working with Nickelodeon show “Drake & Josh ” from 2004-2007. In particular, Bell discusses how his dialogue coach Brian Peck abused his power as an adult, leading to the actor having to go to court and speak out against him.

According to an article in EW, Bell’s father and manager, Joe Bell, immediately felt that something was off with Peck. “I started to see Brian just start to hang around Drake too much, and it didn’t sit well with me.Drake would be in the dressing room or something, and in would pop Brian, and just touch Drake, you know, do things that, wait a second. What are you doing? Drake can put that on himself.”

“The thing is, this is in front of people,” Bell said. “Then he’d maybe walk over to Drake and be feeding him some lines or whatever, and put his arm around his waist. Put his hand up on his shoulder, and kinda run it down his arm, and things like that. And this would happen routinely. It was just always uncomfortable.”

Another workplace stress impacting young actors is the intense demand placed on them to be in character. Heath Ledger, who played the Joker in the 2008 The Dark Knight movie, ultimately died of an overdose.dRumors immediately circulated that his drug addiction was fueled by his attempts to try to get into the character of the Joker. 

Although these rumors have been refuted by his family, Ledger was open about the difficulties he had getting into character — a “psychopathic, mass murdering, schizophrenic clown with zero empathy.” According to the UK Treatment Centre, “Ledger isolated himself for weeks to prepare for the role, delving into the character’s twisted mind. He famously kept a diary where he noted the Joker’s thoughts and feelings, helping him to embody the character’s anarchic spirit fully. This method-acting approach allowed Ledger to bring a level of detail and nuance to the unprecedented role. His Joker was not just a villain; he was a portrayal of chaos and unpredictability, a character with depth, intelligence and a disturbing sense of humor.

The movie industry pressures actors and makes actors believe that “it’s all or nothing” so the actors will do anything, even enduring abuse or adopting dangerous habits to play a role perfectly. If the industry doesn’t make changes to protect young actors at the start of their career, they will cause irreparable damage to not only the children they are supposed to support, but also the industry as a whole.

Behind the Scenes of the Dance World

~ averyyclairee ~ Leave a comment

by Avery Staus
The Walker School

Growing up as a competitive dancer, I have struggled with my confidence and self image. I am always striving to be a better dancer, comparing myself to others, constantly feeling judged and never truly satisfied with my progress. I used to fear forgetting choreography or costumes as I didn’t want to disappoint my teachers, friends or parents. 

However, after spending hours of each day at my second home, Rhythm Dance Center, I have found supportive friends and teachers who desire nothing more than to see me succeed and I have broken outside of my comfort zone. There is no better feeling than cheering your team on, crying during a heartbreaking moment or laughing uncontrollably over

each other’s jokes. Unfortunately, this is not the case for most dancers.

A 2023 study by the National Library of Medicine states, “One in five (20.8%) dancers had at least moderate symptoms of either depression, generalized anxiety disorder or eating disorders.”

Dancers struggle with poor body image and mental health due to many factors. A typical dance studio layout includes floor to ceiling length mirrors and ballet barres. A 2023 study at Santa Clara University states that mirrors can be beneficial for fixing technique, but they also lead to constant self-criticism and obsession over small details. 

While taking a typical ballet class, teachers survey the room, adjusting placement and giving dancers helpful critiques or positive reinforcement. However, comments such as, “I can see your lunch” or “tuck in your stomach” can cause students to develop unhealthy relationships with food. Dancers may even be punished if their bodies do not comply with the “ideal” dancer body. 

Specifically in the competition world, it is common to see young dancers wear revealing costumes consisting of booty shorts, bra tops and large cutouts. There is a wide range of sexualization at dance competitions, and few studios have policies requiring “age appropriate” costumes, themes and music. 

The dance world is competitive, elitist and intense. However, social media has helped change unrealistic beauty standards for dancers, and the industry has started taking action towards more inclusivity. Although many studios and teachers are trying to correct their traditional ways, there is still an immense amount of progress to be made. 

Dance is a beautiful art form and way of expression, and it should be an opportunity for escaping stress, not creating stress.

It’s my body, but is it still my choice in Florida?

~ gracerracerlol ~ Leave a comment

Grace Bennett
Oxbridge Academy

Governor Ron Desantis’s enactment of a restrictive six-week abortion law in Florida represents a profoundly misguided and unjust intrusion on women’s rights as well as healthcare decisions.

In an associated press article, Kamala Harris said, “As of this morning, 4 million women in this state woke up with fewer reproductive freedoms than they had last night.”

On the morning of May First, 2024, women in Flordia woke up to a soul-crushing reality. The enacted bill, making abortion illegal after six weeks, stripped women of their ability to decide about their pregnancies before they were even aware of them. 

Statistics have shown that most women are unaware of their pregnancy before or at six weeks, making termination nearly impossible. According to Ansirh, one in three people discover pregnancy at six weeks or later, and about one in five discover pregnancy past seven weeks. Almost two in three people aged 15-19 discover pregnancy at six weeks or later.

In Florida, it seems as if all odds are against women in this category; it is not just a matter of the violation of women’s rights; it is also a diminishment of healthcare opportunities for pregnant women. In an associated press article, Roberts said, “We’re coming in between them and their doctors and preventing them from getting care until it’s saving their lives, sometimes at the expense of their fertility.” 

“As a girl growing up in a fast-paced environment, I am worried about sharing special moments with a significant other because I am no longer able to choose what happens with my body if I end up pregnant.” Said a high school student in Florida.

Even though I haven’t experienced this tragedy, I am a 15-year-old girl living in Florida; my peers and I can get pregnant or be victims of sexual assault. It is safe to say we now live in fear; it has ruined intimate moments for us and made us feel anger toward our bodies and resentment towards those around us. Banning abortion is not just a political argument; it is an emotional battle that affects all women around the country in all ways, whether that be emotional, physical, or anything in between. 

“The taking of a life is murder, and it is illegal.”According to Danny McCormick, 

The abortion ban runs deeper than just a political stance, more than a “preference;” it is a life-altering and heartbreaking reality only women are left to face. Men can and have been imposing this decision on women across the country now more than ever; they determine the fate of our bodies. 

Why is a 45-year-old man, oblivious of female reproductive systems and women’s personal lives, able to dictate what happens to me and others like me, disregarding our age, ability, and feelings about pregnancy?

Knowing I have minimal standing in the fight for women’s rights, I write this in hopes of educating anyone I can about the decisions that the wrong people are making; men should not be the dictator of any woman’s body. Growing up in this day, especially in the South, is frightening; it affects more than just the impregnated women; it affects doctors, young girls being scared to have intimate moments, healthcare providers, and more. Hopefully, the Nov. ballot will dissolve the six-week ban, and if it does, the fight is still not over for women in the South.

Man or Bear: Why Women Cannot Afford to Choose the Man

~ madisonconnor17 ~ Leave a comment

by Madison Connor
Hebron Christian Academy

“When everyone believes you, what’s that like?”

Legendary singer, songwriter, doctor, and performer Taylor Swift released a song during her Lover era called, “The Man,” which discusses sexism she has experienced both in the media, and in the world. In the song she asks a powerful question, “When everyone believes ya, what’s that like?”

The reason this question is so powerful is because as women, we are rarely believed. Not to say that men are also not believed, but it is much more common for women to be doubted, scrutinized, accused of lying, accused of tempting and looked at like they do not belong. a A recent media controversy has spiked, started by a man, asking women the question of “Would you rather be alone in the woods with a random man or bear,” and to their surprise, many women  chose a bear.

“Only wear one earphone, check behind you every minute or so, never be alone with a man you do not know, never leave your drink unattended, scream, give them a fight, always be aware of your surroundings. and learn self defense.”

Many people ask why women chose the bear, but contrary to popular opinion, it is not because women woke up one day and decided to hate men. It is a result of conditional training and instinct women have been given over centuries that have taught us to be wary of men, many of them quoted above. It is a result of the fact that over hundreds of years, women have been treated like second class citizens, inferior to men,, treated like cattle, treated as objects by men, and treated like birth-givers and nothing else. We are told that boys are boys. School dress codes are even implemented supporting these notions, with girls having to dress conservatively to not “tempt” the boys.  

“I still have nightmares years later.”

One of my dearest friends said this about the man — a family member — who sexually assaulted her when she was much younger. This is another reason why women are choosing the bear, because they won’t have to see the bear at the family reunion. This response, for me, is also a result of the fact that almost every single woman in my life has been nearly sexually assaulted, sexually assaulted or knows someone who has. It is a result of the fact that in America, a person is sexually assaulted every 68 seconds, with 91% of sexual assaults being done to women, and 99% done by men. It is a result of the fact that many women, including myself, feel that if they have not joined this statistic, they will.

“At least if I got attacked by a bear people would actually believe me.”

Many have said this about why they chose the bear, specifically, content creator @mrsjrd on Tiok. No matter how prolific the person is, from superstar Taylor Swift to a fhigh school girl, women are not believed. Taylor Swift was questioned, scrutinized, and judged when she had eight witnesses, and a photo of the assault happening, so why would anyone believe the woman whose only witness is herself? Even with bites, marks and DNA evidence, women are questioned, but, if you show marks from a bear, you are more likely to be believed.

“He didn’t seem threatening; he was skinny as a rake, aging and shorter than me.”

Anna Richards, a hiker on a trail in Armenia actually was faced with this hypothetical country. She took up an offer from a beekeeper to sleep on his porch to avoid the bears. Not even 12 hours later, she said she felt a body on hers and hot breath on her neck. Thankfully, Richards was able to push the man off, but it goes to show that even if women do choose men, it does not pay off.

“You know what to expect from a bear.”

This is exactly what my dad said on whether or not he would want me, his youngest child, alone in the woods with a man or a bear. Because, either a bear will attack or leave you alone, but a man is unpredictable.

“I want to rape you”

When I was 13, that was the phrase I received from a man solely because I would not send nudes to a man who was at least 17. This was solely a reaction to the fact I would not send nudes, and one could only imagine what would have happened if I faced this interaction in person. All of these reasons very clearly showcase why I would choose the bear, and I would probably choose the bear even if I know the man, because as my dad said, men are unpredictable.

“Men are beasts, and even beasts don’t behave as they do”

“BookTok” is ruining the romance genre

~ livselman ~ Leave a comment

by Liv Selman
West Laurens High School

Growing up as a reader, getting book recommendations from my friends was a memorable and fun aspect of my childhood. My friends and I would read a series together and obsess over characters and get excited together over plot twists.  

With the creation of social media and its ability to connect people across the globe, engaging in book recommendations became a larger-than-life fad for a community of mostly women on TikTok. Thus, the term “BookTok” was born.

At first glance, BookTok seems like a wholesome concept. It has really made reading fun and accessible for all people on the internet. However, it has gained a bad reputation from the types of books that it praises and recommends, specifically in the romance genre.  

It is common to find videos of people suggesting poorly-written books only because they are sexually-explicit. Although it is not typically categorized as porn, according to researchers, reading things like this can have similar negative effects on the brain, such as impulsiveness, desensitization to reward, and anxiety and depression.  

The creators that promote these books also fail to realize that they may be unintentionally encouraging younger viewers of their content to pick up these books. This coincides with the cartoon-cover designs that many publishers have chosen for these books that make them appear unassuming and kid-friendly. While these covers may make romance books less embarrassing to read in public(as opposed to a classic cover image of a bare-chested man), they can be misleading to young children on TikTok who are looking to get into reading.

TikTok user @nicolereadsalot said in a video about this subject, “Do not let book covers fool you, some of them look so sweet and innocent, but are filthy.”

BookTok has given the romance genre a bad reputation. Throughout time, certain romance books have been regarded as classics, such as Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” Margaret Mitchell’s “Gone With The Wind” and Emily Bronte’s “Wuthering Heights.”  These books are all astounding works of literature that deeply explore the lives of the two romantic leads and the progression of their relationships.  These works represent the epitome of what the genre of romance should represent– an exploration of what it means to be vulnerable and human.  

However, when people on TikTok announce to the world that the romance book they just finished is “very spicy,” it doesn’t paint the romance genre or readers in general in a good light.

The problematic content of BookTok is not limited to literary porn.  Even worse, there is a sub-committee who promote books that romanticize abuse, which they have categorized as “dark romance.”  These books have plots based around female characters being stalked, assaulted, or kidnapped by their love interest.  Obviously, this can be very damaging to real life survivors of these things because it minimizes their experiences and turns them into entertainment.  

So, what can be done to combat the perversion of the romance genre on TikTok?   We cannot control what people choose to post or read, but we can control what books we choose to pick up and which creators we listen to.  One of the most powerful aspects of reading is that it is all about one’s own personal experience– we read what we believe is quality and what we are interested in.  That is the beauty of being a reader– it is all up to you.