Glee is a very relevant stereotypical show because one of the main characters is gay. A large part of the show focuses on his struggle with bullies and being comfortable in his high school. This show reflects the stereotypes of a gay student in high school, by showing how he, Kurt Hummel, deals with his judgmental classmates and his social status.
Kurt had a very difficult time getting respect from his classmates. Every day he would fear going to school because he knew the football players and popular kids would continue to harass him. For example, one of Kurt's fears was getting "slushied." Getting slushied means that someone would buy a shushie from school, and dump it on someone else's face. It is very messy, painful, and sad. One football player in particular would point out Kurt's homosexuality every day in a very negative way. On top of being gay, he Kurt is also a part of the Glee club, and according to the social status at the school, Glee club is the lowest on the totem pole. So he would feel judged and made fun of and soon enough he became so uncomfortable, that he switched to an all guys school for a while.
I think this show is trying to show how putting down and discriminating against homosexuals can be very hurtful and those who are doing it, may not know how much pain they are causing. The show has the stereotypical football players who rule the school throw shushies at the bottom feeders of the glee club and the gay students. The show also focuses on how the whole glee club always sticks up for each other and is like a family. It shows how they don’t care what other people think and in order to change their classmates’ views about social statuses and homosexuality, they continue to do what they love, singing, and work to be the best at it. It took Kurt transferring to another school for the guy that harassed him everyday to finally realize how mean he had been to the Glee club and to Kurt. He joined forces with a member of Glee club and formed a “No Bullying” club. They patrol the school and stop all bullying and harassment that they come across. This was a huge success for their Glee club because they had a member of the popular crowd sticking up for them. Kurt was also finally able to return to the school, because he felt more comfortable and accepted by his peers. I don’t think that gay students at our school go through anything like what happens on Glee, but somewhere in America some kids may. So this show is a good representation of what could be going on and it may even be inspirational to stick up for one’s self.
Kylie, you are so right when you say that sometimes we don't know how much pain we're causing others. Sometimes people often use the term "gay" to say something is dumb, but we don't realize how offensive that can be to people who are actually homosexual. Bullying affects a lot of kids, especially teenagers who are trying to find themselves. Glee is a very good example of stereotyping and bullying as well.
ReplyDeleteI also think that gay students at our school won't be met with as much harassment as in the show and I'm really glad to be able to say that. It's sad to think that in other parts of the country, this could happen. Many people have to deal with bullying, and I think that the show promotes the ideas of being proud of who you are.
ReplyDeleteI think you touched on something important toward the end. In a lot of ways I think Glee is out of touch with the exagerrated way they portray the different types of people, like the intolerant football jock. I dont think there's really a defined social 'totem pole' as you mentioned there is in Glee. I also dont know how much that kind of person really exists these days...I certainly dont think it's prevalent. And while tolerance of homosexuality is definitely an issue, dont think it's really as explicit as it is portrayed in Glee. Of course, I could just be spoiled by WHS which seems like a relatively easygoing school.
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