Charger Opinion

School spirit gone bad

Cassandra Kimberly, Charger Staff

School spirit-it runs through our veins whether we like it or not.

The cheering, the pep rallies, the strip tease... What?

I recently attended my first pep rally here at Cookeville High School and was appalled at what I assumed was a display of “modern dance” performed by the dance team.

I was expecting a variety of dance moves incorporated into a choreographer’s dream piece. I ended up leaving stunned after what appeared to be a pole dance sans the poles.
I do realize that in this day and age, our generation has completely lost all sense of creativity when it comes to dancing. I never imagined that we would be allowed to promote such degrading actions as a form of celebration.

Honestly, I was embarrassed to watch the performance because it left me feeling as if the young men sitting behind me were expecting more from the women than what was (hopefully) intended.

I continuously heard chants and jeers from my fellow classmates throughout the show which negatively referred to the girls’ suggestive movements and dress.

How are women supposed to use our feminism as a form of power if we cannot be respected as individuals first?

I feel that the ambition and the potential to be a respected team is definitely within reason. Don’t get me wrong-the girls on the team are quite talented. The tactic used is what prevents people from showing any form of appreciation of the art of dance as well as thetalent of team members andshowing them proper respect as the individuals they are.

The cheerleaders can perform without the innuendo, why can’t the dance team?

Maybe if other forms of dance such as tap, ballet, jazz, or swing were incorporated into the pieces, then the shows would be much more enjoyable and less titilating.

I enjoy the fact that we have such a vast array of ways to show our school spirit, but I don’t think that such representation is necessary, especially when it reflects on how people outside of our school see the Cookeville High student body.

Article prepared for web by Joy Wheeler