Opinion11 • 13 • 2015

8

An Open Letter to Straight People

Staff Editorial

What are you ac-complishing by saying “no homo?” We know you’re not gay. Why do you feel the need to say “that’s so gay” when you mean “that’s so stupid?” You know what else is gay? A fair amount of the Millard South community. All you’re doing is contributing to the mi-croaggressions against the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, trans*, and queer (lgbtq) community. The term microaggression is used to describe the subtle discrimination against marginalized groups, based solely on

the fact that they are a part of a marginalized group. When you say things like “that’s so gay” and “no homo” you’re being homopho-bic. Sure, you might not mean to be a homo-phobe, but when you relate gay and stupid together, which is what is happening when you say “that’s so gay” and you’re really mean-ing “that’s so stupid,” you’re being a homo-phobe. Especially when you’re calling your classmates gay as an insult. Why is it insulting

to be gay? Have you ever actually associ-ated with anyone who doesn’t identify as straight? We’re defi-nitely really cool and it shouldn’t be insulting to be associated with us. These phrases are so normalized in the pop culture that young people consume that we don’t really think about it. It has been suggested by some that rappers use these phrases in their lyrics to help develop a public per-sona that promotes ho-mophobia to help prove their “masculinity.” It’s instances like these

that we see toxic masculinity. Toxic masculinity is used to describe the way that the patriarchy harms men with the social ideas that men are violent, unemotional, and other “masculine” stereotypes. Stop saying things like “no homo” and “that’s so gay” and other variations of those phrases. It’s lame. We could make Millard South feel safe and wel-come to all students by refraining from saying those things and further

benefit the community by helping defeat toxic masculinity.

Shailyn AltepeterOpinion Editor

Bellevue East should change Chieftain mascot

As of now, the Chieftain will remain the mascot of Bellevue East High School, but Bellevue Public Schools will no longer be permitting headdresses and Indian “war paint” at Bellevue East athletic events. The ban was imposed after the Chieftains played their rival, Bellevue West, and it was reported that multiple costumes and props that were considered offensive turned up at the game. As a result, school administrators also banned the student section from using the name “The Tribe.” This is a topic that is likely familiar to Patriot Nation. On May 18, 1999, Millard South High School decided to change its mascot from the Indians.At that time, complaints were lodged by Native Americans that the Indians mascot showed a lack of respect for their heri-tage. Millard South’s adminis-tration reviewed their concerns

and decided to make a change to end the Indian mascot. The 1999-2000 school year was the last for the Indian and during that year, students were given the opportunity to nominate and vote on alternatives. In the last vote held in April, students decided between “Patriots” and “Red Storm.” “Patriots” earned the most votes to go on to become the new face of MS. Similar to Bellevue East, Millard South students wore war paint and headdresses to athletic events. But instead of gradually limiting students’ display of school pride as Bel-levue East has done, Millard South decided to make a full and sweeping change. Bellevue East has only changed the rules surrounding how students must dress and act at school events, but they remain the Bellevue East Chief-tains. So, in an effort to correct a problem, they created another

one; albeit one on a different level. While their students are likely allowed to wear fan gear with the word “Chieftains” on it, a more clear solution might be to make the bold move Millard South made in 1999. Not only would they would be making a more clear state-ment to the Native American community, they would also be affording Bellevue East fans the ability to dress up as their new chosen mascot for school events. We agree that wearing headdresses and war paint is can be viewed as degrading and racist. At the end of the day, regardless of what non-Native Americans opinions might be, if Native Americans, or anyone for that matter, may find their use at an event to be offensive, we should respect that. There are enough great mascot ideas out there that schools can easily refrain from

using people as their mascots. In the meantime, however, Bel-levue East might be doing their students a disservice by not al-lowing them to dress up as for school events. Half of the fun of high school games is dressing up to support your school’s team. Bellevue East’s administra-tion should consider putting on their “big-boy decision pants” when it comes to this issue and just change the mascot alto-gether. By telling the students that while supporting their school, that they can’t do any-thing involving their mascot “Chieftain” is essentially telling the students that “for the time being, we have no mascot.” Change can be hard and it’s tough to walk away from tradition. But respect outweighs tradition; at least it should. It’s time for Bellevue East to make their new tradition.

• Patch holes in drywall • Stuff dirty boots with newspaper to eliminate odor • Make animal bedding• Use as traction for car tires stuck in snow • Wrap presents • Kindle a fire•Add to compost• Use for spills; newspaper is al-most as absorbent as paper towels• Dry off wet shoes• Use as a table cloth• Line fridge shelves • Line cupboard shelves• Put on windshields to prevent frosting• Use for packing• Clean windows or mirrors• Check Pinterest for cool nail art with newspapers• Scrapbooking• Book covers• Origami• Collage making• Store seedlings until planting • Entertain grandparents• Paper mache• Cushioning • Block sun in windows• Kite• Confetti• Create a piñata• Christmas ornaments• Current event articles• Emergency umbrella• Lampshade• Dustpan• Makeshift funnel • Scavenger hunt• Make an alphabet book for chil-dren• Read stories • Do the crossword puzzle • Read the comics• Match prices for grocery stores• Write to a columnist• Protect carseats • Put into shoes and purses to protect shape• Cover furniture while away • Make dress patterns• Use as wallpaper• Make paper chains• Emergency potholder• Make paper dolls• Make a play tent for a child

It was a dark, quiet night Oct. 8. The Millard South Band had fin-ished their rehearsal at 9 p.m., leaving the school completely empty. Or so everyone thought. Suddenly, three mysterious figures emerged from the south gym, bouncing a basketball as they headed towards the school’s south doors to go home after a long night of playing basketball. On their way out they noticed a stack of freshly printed newspapers that were to be handed out the next day. But one guy had a different idea than the newspaper staff, and decided to take the 300 newspapers out of the school doors with him. The next day the Common Sense newspaper staff was baffled to learn that someone had stolen 300 copies of the first issue of the year. School security and Activities Director Steve Throne reviewed the security tapes and eventually the thief was identified, contacted and encour-aged to return the newspapers, which he did the following week. While wait-ing for resolution, the Common Sense staff wondered, “What would someone do with 300 copies of Common Sense?” Here are some of our inspired ideas. We now have some extra copies of the first issue if you are interested.

Payton WeaverManaging Editor

Jade MyattStaff Reporter

The harrowingnewspaper caper

Chieftain

Contest Entry for Matt Kirkle