Issue of the Week
Okay, over the past four weeks, you’ve expressed your opinons on H3MS’ dress code and black lipstick. I have to admit, I was surprised at the response. I never anticipated when I started this blog to receive so many posts. Needless to say, I was ecstatic! What better way to show the power of writing and its ability to influence thinking and generate healthy debate. Many of you have accepted my offer to submit topics for our blog. This week’s topic comes from Kelsey and has to do with stereotypes at H3MS. We’ve been reading Freedom Writers Diary and witness the challenges Ms. Gruwell faces everyday in her classroom trying to educate her students on the dangers of stereotypes and racism.
Do you think the stereotypes at H3MS are as prevelant as the school where Ms. Gruwell teaches? Do we have a problem with cliques at H3MS? Remember, your auidence when you blog and be appropriate.
Blog on!
March 5th, 2007 at 5:13 pm
We have a HUGE! problem with cliques at HHH. I mean, come on, just look at the cafeteria. Ask one person to go sit at the another table and they’d be like “NO, that’s the prep’s table” or “I can’t, I don’t know them” Some people are floaters and drift between the groups, but mostly, most people stay with their groups.
March 6th, 2007 at 11:48 am
Hmm, I totaly agree, we do have a huge problem. :]
I personally think people are segregated to sit anywhere they want. A lot of the kids at HHH feel left out or are afraid to fit in. At the beginning of the school year, I was afraid to sit with the Goths or the Emos, or even the Nerds for that matter. I was afraid that if I didn’t sit with the right crowd that my reputation wouldn’t be the same. I was afraid of people asking me, “Why did you sit with THEM at lunch today?”, meaning “your weird”. I think it’s ridiculous. But one day, a friend of mine asked me if she could sit with me at lunch. She wasn’t the most popular girl but she was my friend. I gradually invited her to come and eat with me. As she walked up to sit by me the girls next to me said “What do you think your doing?”, and she said, “Whitney invited me to eat lunch with her,” and the girls laughed and said “Umm, Whitney doesn’t talk to people like you.” I felt SOO bad! I seriously felt like crying because it was either I go after my friend and lose my reputation, or I sit back and lose a good friend who meant a lot to me. I think this needs to change!
March 6th, 2007 at 2:07 pm
Yes, I do think that we have a problem.
March 6th, 2007 at 7:53 pm
I just want to say one thing, actually many things but this is the most important: If you want to hang with another group of friends, don’t shove your way in. You don’t make real friends but going into a group and say “Hey, I want to be friends with you and so you should all be friends with me.” Realistically, that is never gonna happen. You make friends by talking with people with who like the same things as you (which is probably why you are hanging out with your original group of friends). I have a question for you all “What is the problem with hanging out with you friends.” What is wrong with cliques. They just provide us to have friends who enjoy the same thing we do. I’m sorry, but I just don’t even see the deal with what is wrong in having groups of people who are all friends. Well, that is all I have to say on the subject.
March 6th, 2007 at 8:10 pm
Its true, we have a lot of cliques and groups at H3MS but I mean does it matter. I wouldn’t exactly say they were “cliques” it’s more like groups of friends hanging out with each other. The only problem with “cliques” is when one of them starts beating on another. For instance (no offense to Goths) Goths talk about preps non stop sometimes but likewise preps sometimes diss Goths all day. I’m really neutral to groups and stuff as long as they don’t get on everyone else’s nerves.
March 6th, 2007 at 8:48 pm
There is a ton of stereotypes and I mean A TON. If u wear black lipstick and black clothes you’re a goth. If you dress nice and Abercrombie-ish clothes, then you’re a prep. You are a nerd if you wear your clothes in a funny way(ei :tucking your shirt into your underwear). I don’t even know why we should have stereotyping and all that stuff come on thats childish stuff. We need to learn to get together no matter what you wear or what race you are. Its all just plain dumb.
March 6th, 2007 at 8:54 pm
Prep, goth, punk, WHATEVER.
REAL PEOPLE DONT NEED LABLES.
March 7th, 2007 at 4:35 pm
I have to admit, this topic is pretty serious. I see how you just hang out with your friends , but come on , open yourself up to someone NEW!!! Someone out there could be your best friend next year. Also a proof of cliques is in the commons when we eat. All the “non- catogorized, but not preps or goths”, are afraid to meet the expectations of the preps. Meaning they are afriad to say something stupid that could be spread around the school and make you humiliated. Becuase even when they have sometimes tried, they are ignored, get a look, or get a sharp remark back. That doesn’t always happen, but it my case it has happened before. That’s all I can really say about this.
March 8th, 2007 at 8:34 am
So I have a huge problem with this whole clique deal.
I’m tired of everyone ONLY talking about the preps and the goths.
Okay call me a prep. Yes, you’re right, I do have a lot of friends, and I do play a lot of sports, and I do know a lot of people, and I do try and look nice. But I’m telling you that I do NOT own a closet full of “Abercrombie” clothes, I’m not going to lie, I could come to school everyday in a Walmart tee and a plain pair of jeans.
Truthfully, I’m tired of being stereotyped as being a snotty prep that spends all my money on expensive clothes, and kicking people out of “our table”. People say “we” are the ones that stereotype everyone. I say NOT. Who gave us the name and horrible role of “preps”? Not us. I have never once made a horrible remark at someone new who wants to sit at our table, it’s just where we sit, the group of friends we sit with, and stuff we have in common. Call it a clique. I CALL IT A GROUP OF FRIENDS.
I can say this for a fact, I am friends with kids in EVERY SINGLE GROUP. I will sit with the “goths” because I look up to them. They do care what people think about them, they are just who they are, and I LOVE that. I will sit with what you may call the “nerds” because I have plenty of friends that sit with that group of people, they’re the funniest kids. I’m not gonna name all the groups or the people that’re in them but main point is, I DON’T stereotype people because of what they wear, I LOVE IT, where they sit, I SIT THERE TOO, the people they hang out with, whatever, like I said it’s just a group of friends.
I’m just tired of being stereotyped as such a horrible person, because of the friends I have and the people I hang out with.
March 8th, 2007 at 8:36 am
Ok, so this whole stereotype thing might be getting a little out of hand. Let me rephrase that: the blog could be getting a little out of hand. Some people just need to listen. I know that I try to sit with different people all the time. Like last week I sat with what you might call the Emos. I love them, just because they dress weird doesn’t mean they aren’t cool and nice. I mean, I had a great time. So I’m not afraid to sit with different people; it’s no big deal sit with whomever you feel like, when ever you want to. I guarantee that if you do that, then you will have a blast. You might even find a few new friends and end up sitting with them more often - but don’t disown your old freinds. That’s not cool…
But when you go against what you call the preps, you might be crossing the line - they are human beings, too, you know. They have feelings. Even the one’s with all of the drama. But come on, everyone has drama, that doesn’t mean you blame it on one clique..CLIQUES CAUSE PROBLEMS!
I have different friends in different groups, you can call me a prep but I hang out with what you might call the geeky kids a lot too, you know. I am in orchestra and I’m not afraid to show that I absolutely love music. So call me geeky, call me a prep - I DON’T CARE! It doesn’t hurt me, but when you label other people, it may hurt them, so be careful what you say. Just like Scout in TKM. Watch your mouth, please.
I think everyone in this school is mad about cliques, but yet keep on going to sit with the same people at lunch. If you don’t want want cliques, then don’t make them…. I think a lot of people also are frustrated at being stereotyped as horrible people. They aren’t; get to know them and don’t judge a book by ist cover…
Take SOME PRIDE IN YOURSELF AND GO OUT INTO THE WORLD AND MEET NEW PEOPLE! Please.. it could do everyone a favor.
March 8th, 2007 at 9:17 am
Ok, I don’t think we have a BIG problem with cliques. At my table we have been having “preps” sit with us. BIG problem there - it’s not that we dont like them, it’s that we are not used to them, you know? They just act different but when there are SOOO many of them at our table that WE can’t sit with our friends, there is a PROBLEM. But if there is a problem with cliques who cares? We have our friends and they have theirs, we have our table and they have theirs, so…GET OVER IT!!!
March 8th, 2007 at 9:18 am
I love the cliques, let’s never lose them!!!
March 8th, 2007 at 3:21 pm
Ok, people what is wrong with people sitting with their friends who are just like them, right? Right? Wrong. If some of you look closer to the tables and the people sitting in them, you’ll see that there are Emos sitting with Preps or the highly-capable kids. Goths with the kids who say they don’t believe in stereotypes. Kids are mixed up everywhere in the whole room, just becuase they don’t talk to the kids by them doesn’t mean they don’t want them there. My friends and I are totally different we have a little bit of very sterotype in our group. I have read some of the other comments, and some of the people that are mentioned in there telling people that they don’t want them to sit there are the kids who think way to highly of themselves. And they don’t accept others for who they are. Those are the only ones that I see do it, too. Other than that our sitting situation in the commons is perfectly fine to me.
March 8th, 2007 at 9:23 pm
OK I need to talk more….
Why are the preps known as the stereo-typed???
That my one quesiton. We are great people. But when you say you don’t like stereo-types and then we try to be more considerate, well some of us try, the ones that actually care about this world, you say that it’s a problem. Why????? You just said that you don’t want stereo-types.
I don’t want to be mean or anything but I’m just going to give it straight forward. GET USED TO STEREO-TYPES!!! they are going to be wherever you are. I can guarantee that where ever you go there will be something that you like unless your in LaLa land.. but it’s reality.
Cliques are just like some one in one group getting singled out for a mistake that they might have made whether it was with a friend jeesh….. I think everyone gets singled out in every clique. I think that when you get a reality check it could always be like this and you should meet a new person that helps you and doesn’t care about your past someone where you can start a new slate, like a brand new life think of that. WOW!!! I think I would love that… and I do….
March 9th, 2007 at 11:31 am
Hello. I just wanted to say cliques are cool. People hang out with people they want to so then they sit where they want to. It’s not harming anyone. For people who think cliques are stupid they usually dont have many friends. So if you’re one of those who try sitting at a table that you think you belong to. TRY IT OUT.
Thanks now I got to go wash my turban!!!
March 9th, 2007 at 11:32 am
OMG! There is like a huge problem with cliques. Have you seen the way people in this school people are scared to sit next to the preps or goths or emos or nerds or anything else there is out there? Pretty much, if they aren’t in their groups they would sit with someone else!!! It bugs me so much how mean people are to others that aren’t in there group or they think someone looks weird so they want to make fun of them, but there are some nice people out there but they usually stick to the people in there group! Someone has got to change this!
BOBBY SUE
March 9th, 2007 at 11:38 am
OMG! There is a really big problem in this school with cliques but it’s not as bad as the kids in Ms. Gruwells class but people are seperated in different groups. And your not “allowed” to sit with another group during lunch or you’ll probablly get dirty looks. Most people are scared to sit in other peoples cliques. Sometimes people just make fun of someone that’s not in their clique because they think they look weird. There are some nice people but they still stay in the sit with there clique and not anyone elses!!
March 9th, 2007 at 1:07 pm
We do have a problem at our school. I don’t care if you say that it’s just a group of friends, because it’s not! Everyone is saying that it doesn’t matter what you wear, but it does. I have been ridiculed, called ugly, and been told that I don’t matter. Girls, specifically PREPS, have compared me to my mother and my sister and said how pretty THEY were. It hurts, but so does the truth. I know that I judge people, but I don’t let that get in the way of my getting to know them. Everybody has a group of friends with whom they hang out with every day. But what happens when you don’t? I don’t. Every day I try to find someone who I can connect with. I fit with a lot of kids, and that’s not because of the way I look either, it’s because I’m willing to give them a chance. But when I try to hang out with people that seem like they would be fun to hang out with, I’m questioned. They want to know WHY I don’t sit with my OLD friends. WHY I choose to sit with THEM. THEY don’t see that all I want is a support group. I want what the PREPS, the GOTHS, what the NERDS have. I want friends. I’m like a butterfly trying to spread it’s wings for the first time. But I can’t get there without the support of my friends. But I feel as thought I don’t have any. So I prepare myself to fly alone.
So what happens when I try?
THEY push me away, and make me feel like less of the person I was before.
March 9th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
Would some of you really show up to school in something that your “group” would never think of wearing??? I think that the preps and the goths are the ones named mostly because they are the two main groups. I mean, there’s the nerds and all, but they don’t really have anything against anyone, so they’re not mentioned. There’s the wannabees, but sometimes people don’t see that they have feelings too, and that maybe they want some new friends. I think that labels are stupid. I challenge EVERYONE to go and sit by somebody that you have never sat or REALLY talked with before…
I bet you’ll learn something new about them, and about yourself.
Oh, and while I’m at it, the reason why the “preps” are SO bad is that a few girls that ruin it for everyone else. You know who you are, and you realize that you aren’t better than anybody. In fact, by hurting people for your own personal gain, you are lowering yourself as a person and human being. GET OVER YOURSELF!!!
March 10th, 2007 at 7:45 pm
Someone said above that REAL people don’t need labels, which I agree with. We do have a problem here because if you look above at all the posts people are labeling eachother after they see it’s a problem. You are all contradicting yourselves if you say its a problem but then label people like goths, preps, and emos and stuff to that extent. As I said we do have a problem because it starts with the labeling. People label each other as a way to tell them apart. Which isn’t fair. So you know what, if you want to stop the cliques then stop the labeling, and get over yourself.
March 10th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
Here is a question for everyone to think about, why is it that when ever we have a mix-it-up day people are so determined to trade each other so that they can be with their friends?? That is so SAD that we can’t even afford to be with out our friends for one day, and not open ourselfs up to someone new. Please be honest with yourself, most everyone in H3MS thought about or did trade their colors so that they can be with their friends!!!! What does that tell you about our school. I can say that some of us are just quiet and the others unsecure. They are more concerned about their reputation. Sorry about being honost.
March 11th, 2007 at 12:18 pm
I think everyone is being stupid with the whole clique thing. I personally have no problem with cliques, but for those who do have a problem stop talking the talk and start walking the walk. If you care so much take your own advice and stop sitting with your friends. Because that’s exactily what cliques are. Groups of friends. So get over it.
March 17th, 2007 at 9:20 pm
Okay, there was a problem a while ago. So everyone knows about about the Fox brand right? Well a really close freinds of mine was a wearing a black fox jecket with rainbow foxes on them. She told me that they told her to go somewhere else and wear her ambercrombie stuff. The prep clothes basically.
I think that is uncalled for. I guess they thought she coudn’t be like them.
The thing I got so fusterated with was that everyone tells you to not be stereo typed and do something different but when a person that likes a pair of clothes tries to be different for a change, and wears it to school and gets rude comments about. It is absurd. I guess I don’t get it. You tell us to change and then when we do we get into trouble about it like it’s all our fault. If you don’t want us to change then say so but I thought I would let everyone know we are trying here, alright? It just one pair of clothing.
I guess I’m totaly confused on my behalf of this whole stereo-type thing.
March 19th, 2007 at 9:37 am
I just don’t understand, not that I ever will….well, maybe. Well let’s see you, have the goths, the emos, the preps, the skaters, and then the nerds. And come on people, do you not see that no one is better then anyone? I mean hello get with the program. There are a lot of good people in this world, why judge people when you have no idea who they really are. You can’t hate someone for the fact that they hang out with someone that you may not like. I am just sick and tired of being called someone I’m not. Well I may just be one person and what I’m saying may not mean anything to you but I don’t care. My friend’s boyfriend just broke up with her cause she wasn’t a prep or didn’t hang out with the right people! I mean seriously are you kidding me? If you really liked that person you shoudn’t care who the hell they hang out with. I just don’t understand why people as young as us can be so cruel to one another. This needs to stop!
[[Hannah Mosley]]
March 22nd, 2007 at 9:20 am
I totally agree we have a huge problem with cliques at our school. But I dont call them “cliques” I call them a group of friends. Obviously you’re gonna hang out with the people you have most in common with or the people you share the most interests with. You just sort of fall into the category. You are who you are. And some of you need to get over the fact that people are different from you! Just because they dress differently or act weird doesnt mean they’re not great , nice people! I think everyone would be a lot nicer and understanding if you spent a week or a couple days with someone else that’s not in your “clique” That way you would understand that these people are cool and they can be really funny and fun to hang with! Like just today in second period….I dont usually talk that much to Emos or w/e you call them. I don’t have anything against them, I just don’t. So anyways we had a lot of fun talking and making up nick names for each other! It was sooooo fun the whole class! See….if you just take the time to realize people from other groups can be just as fun as the people IN your group then you’ll know and understand that people ARE differnt from you. But you can have A LOT in common! =))