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  • A

    anonymousDec 24, 2014 at 10:19 am

    This article is utter sewage I am sorry for football players that have to deal with this

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  • A

    AnonymousDec 16, 2014 at 10:04 pm

    Hate to be late in commenting, but with the recent combating article, I thought I would add some imput. Emily, this is a great article and you clearly worked hard on it, so I hate to say it, but the amount of page views and responses it got was not because of your journalism skills–it’s because you really stirred a pot with this social commentary. I would like to point out the singular comment on the article written in response to this one. Isn’t it interesting that when a woman points out a situation that she finds sexist, regardless of the situation, men rush to defend themselves? I find that they will insist that they are in the right until everyone quiets down about it. Until you lose your voice. They insist that it cannot be sexist if women involved don’t find it sexist, just like when women in the 60’s said they were perfectly content being housewives and not getting opportunities to work! That being said, I think it should also be clear that you did not intend to tear girls down with this article. Girls can do as they please, but boys should not expect anything from them, as they do not live to serve men. Again, you did a good job with this article and I hope that no one gave you too hard of a time for writing it.

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  • K

    Krystal SkwarNov 25, 2014 at 5:14 pm

    Chris, I agree that sports (and the cultures that surround them) have the potential to “teach kids invaluable lessons of hard work, discipline, and team work.” I’d even add integrity, passion, and respect to that.

    I am a former athlete and a former coach, and my family is involved in sports journalism. From these experiences I can say that sports are fantastic! They can bring out the best in people. But as a reader of the world’s sports news, I also know that every sport also has the potential to engender dishonesty, disrespect, and unsavory attitudes toward other human beings. There is that potential in all things – the potential for a positive or a negative charge.

    Part of the job of teachers, coaches, and adults in the community is to get kids on the positive side. I think the football program in general does a great job of that, but in the case of this issue — the secret psych tradition, NOT the athletes acting it out — change was necessary to create the best environment possible.

    Criticism of something close to your heart is tough to endure, as anyone who has ever been passionate about anything knows. But when a call-to-action piece like this is well-written, it can bring a community to a better place. I think that is the lesson here.

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  • B

    Brian GNov 24, 2014 at 2:38 pm

    The biggest issue I honestly find out of this whole thing is not with Emily doing her job on an editorial piece, rather currently active teachers at WHS taking sides. Regardless of which side they choose. It so happens they both are against this tradition, but that’s not the point. The point is, that above comments from teachers Joseph Braccini and Kathryn Bacon clearly show bias towards one particular side of students. How are you to feel as a parent if your son or daughter is on the football team and in one of their classes? Can we really assume they are being treated fair and equal? Can we really assume there is no prejudice? No teacher should be taking sides, bottom line. Joseph Braccini and Kathryn Bacon feel otherwise.

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  • C

    Chris O'SheaNov 24, 2014 at 2:17 pm

    The fact that there are teachers openly taking sides on this issue is deplorable. I’m not going to bash this article for not using any quotes or complaints from actual students because it was a child who wrote it. What truly is disgusting about this entire situation is the behavior of the teachers, who are the people truly acting like children. To show a bias against student athletes is both disgusting and scary for students. How am I supposed to believe you grade these students the same way you grade others when you openly are speaking out against them? I am a former player, and have coached these fine young gentlemen for seven years in the freshman gut camp program. For every 100 athletes I have coached, 99 have been outstanding people. Your behavior towards these student athletes has the potential to scare students away from joining athletics, which teach kids invaluable lessons of hard work, discipline, and team work that prove to vital in their overall success in the real world. These “professionals” would understand this if they truly cared about each student equally as much as they cared about their own personal politics. It’s team for the adults here to start acting mature, and I hope the school takes action against those who have proven to be biased against student athletes.

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    • A

      anonymous aOct 18, 2021 at 9:34 pm

      First of all, a child did not write this, she is a very well Second, she didn’t use quotes because it is an opinion piece, if you knew anything about journalism you would know that opinion pieces don’t have quotes, ever!

      Reply
  • A

    AnonNov 23, 2014 at 4:10 pm

    I just want to defend Emily real quick. I don’t know who you are Brian G, but your “get a hobby” comment is laughable. As if she wrote this article as a poor use of her time. I would say Emily has exceeded the expectations of a high school journalism class with the response she is getting.

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  • K

    Kathryn BaconNov 23, 2014 at 9:40 am

    As a teacher at WHS, I would like to lend my voice to those of my colleagues showing disapproval of this tradition and seeking and end to it. The sport of cheerleading has changed greatly over the past 20 years and it seems it is time for the “secret psych” tradition to change as well.

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  • B

    Brian GNov 21, 2014 at 7:14 pm

    “Technically, any one of the girls could follow the inaction of the stubborn football players”

    Really? You want to sit there and call people sexist and say this^

    How about the fact that your stereotyping. This is the most disgusting article that I have ever read and whoever is in charge of this rag should be ashamed of themselves for publishing this banter. Thank god I got out of Walpole High school when I did. Get a hobby Emily.

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  • H

    Hannah McLaughlinNov 21, 2014 at 3:36 am

    Splaine,
    Thanks so much for giving me background information on a blog i visit not daily, but hourly. It’s really reassuring that you’d assume I used barstool as an example without having any idea of what it is or how hilarious the backhanded satyrical commentary is.

    Believe me, i love Feitelberg and his doppelgänger dogs as much as the next guy.

    As for your rebuttal, your attempt to negate my argument did just the opposite. Yeah, they’re seasoned journalists who’ve worked in the field for years. So you couldn’t equate their experience in the sports journalism realm to emily’s experience as a senior J3 at Walpole High who has the right to post an editorial– by definition an opinion piece– on what she believes is a potential issue at WHS?

    And to the “Walpole High JoyBoy”, please. It’ll take much more than the 2013 “FlumeDog” tweet to try and prove that I can’t pick up on el press references. Your attempt at discrediting my barstool knowledge would’ve been much more effective and witty if you had worded it just as he did.

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  • F

    Former PlayerNov 20, 2014 at 8:50 pm

    thanks for the response kendall. Former Rebel Joyboy, dope barstool reference, guy.

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  • K

    KendallNov 20, 2014 at 6:24 pm

    Former player: yes I do believe that it is time for this tradition to come to an end and I do recognize and appreciate all the effort that Emily has put into this. Clearly she is passionate about the issue. Emily represented the cheerleaders and brought forth an issue that has been at hand for a long time. Coaches have been working to end this tradition due to the amount of money and time spent, and many cheerleaders don’t even receive respect. But like I said before, not all of the football players display disrespect.

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  • W

    WHS Current SeniorNov 20, 2014 at 6:20 pm

    Emily, thank you very much for having the courage to produce such and insightful and provoking article. Your points touch upon a very pressing issue and your arguments prove a very convincing and undeniable point. This perpetuated tradition among the football players is something that should have been righted a long time ago. As a soon to be graduating senior, it pains me to see that such a controversial and morally backward problem is still sullying the image of our football team and consequently our high school. Avoidance of the issue is only adding fire to the flame, so it means so much that such an article as this could finally be published so that we can face this issue head-on and progress as a town. All of these counter-arguments presented here against your points merely fall to pieces once you factor in a little bit of common sense, knowledge, and, quite frankly, decency. Take pride in your work as a journalist and hold firm in your pursuit of human compassion and social justice.

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  • W

    Walpole High JoyBoyNov 20, 2014 at 3:43 pm

    I am a former Rebel football player, and after reading this article I spat out the coffee I wasn’t drinking.

    (P.S. I bet “Hannah McLaughlin” didn’t get that reference)

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  • L

    Laura KayNov 20, 2014 at 3:22 pm

    Emily, I admire you very much for having written this editorial and I am very proud to be your teacher. Rather than being an “emotional rant” I find it to be an intelligent and passionate expression of your views on a topic that challenges tradition and the status quo. It is not, in my opinion, better to “let sleeping dogs lie” rather than confront an unfair and unjust situation. The fact that something has always been done is not an argument for continuing to do it. You have begun an important conversation that I hope will result in outcomes that are positive and fair.

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  • F

    Former PlayerNov 20, 2014 at 7:44 am

    (after ritual as somthing) that is playing into a negative, larger context

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  • F

    Former PlayerNov 20, 2014 at 7:37 am

    While the response by the cheerleaders and football players make some of her assumptions hold less water, the issue she discusses is still significant. Applied in a larger context, Jared, the relationship between the average cheerleader and football player is inherently sexist. I think its great that you have people on each side saying “Hey, we are appreciative of the respect between each teams”, but it only perpetuates something that is bigger than the bubble WHS/Walpole goes on in. I think if she may have gone to far in her critiques of the team’s individually, but on the whole, she still has a point even if the whole of both team disagrees. I know it must seem like a shot to the gut, but you’re part of a larger institution that collectively devalues women to roles of entertainment that sexualize their images. Off the top of my head, I point to cheerleaders , broadcasters and sideline reporters as evidence. To be any of these, you have to be objectively attractive to please the male audience. Although their contributions hold value in their insight and reporting, they are mostly used for their physical appearance. Obviously, women usually do not play, so it is inherently male institution. That being said, there must be room for improvement in the roles for women in the game. Also, the larger issues of domestic violence point to this devaluing. The NFL suspended a guy for marijuana charges at first for longer than someone who knocked his own wife unconscious!

    The issue at hand obviously is not that large but still significant in what it represents. I think that your issue with her level of participation or perspective to write the article is flawed. You call her emotional? Obviously, this girl is someone who is passionate about these issues. Perhaps, she is qualified to speak her perspective due to a knowledge of issues outside the school surrounding the game. Furthermore, the Walpole Football culture, like so many sports programs, is extremely pervasive in the daily routines of all students regardless of their involvement in sports programs. I disagree with you, and i believe her experience simply being a student gives her more than enough perspective to make an accurate attempt. The player-thank-you’s or the scheduling conflict is important, but ultimately, these facts only take away from her valid points of criticism–gender roles in football on a large scale. I don’t think you can dismiss her opinion so quickly without seeming ignorant of her points on a broader scale. She is not the only person to hold similar opinions. Her arguments are not “baseless”. Her attempt was misguided but not without merit.

    I also liked the fact that the cheerleaders have responded to the criticism, but I am curious how they view themselves in this larger context? Kendall, do you recognize any of her points as they apply to the dynamics of all cheerleaders and players? I mean you might not really have any reason to make a judgement on that but im curious. I’m admittedly not well educated on your sport. I’m not completely ignorant, but your explanation certainly gave me more insight into how the sport has developed into a more gymnastic/dance focused endeavor that requires athleticism and grace. I’m happy to see our relative success too in Mass cheer. Do you think this tradition will end?

    I don’t think any of the WHS football or cheerleading is actively showing up to school to propagate longstanding male-centric institutional flaws. Consequently, I do not find her inference of naiveté on the part of the cheerleaders. I also think that you should attempt to see the other side of the argument. I think its easy to get caught up in the hoorah of the program that avoids answering questions on basic moral questions of race and gender. In my own experience, I can attest to the backwardness of the program noting the scandal of one villainous head coach and me, less than 5 years removed, singing Dixie. Did I ever really think I was actually celebrating the Confederacy? No, but my perspective was clouded and far from worldly in any sense. I think this issue is similar in that sense. Players just need to try to objectively view the ritual as something that My suggestion to you is to maybe re-read this as a more general critique and remove your own personal bias as a current player. This narrative has significant truth. Please don’t let that be lost on you.

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  • W

    WHS ALUMNov 19, 2014 at 9:22 pm

    Emily, I go to school over 300 miles from Walpole High. Please know that word of this article reached me as a recent WHS alum. Thank you for shedding light on this sexist tradition, I applaud you. Conversation about change is the first step to making anything happen. I will be following The Rebellion for the next few months in hopes that the administration speaks up.
    Keep writing, Emily, and kudos for keeping Cashman on his toes with this one.

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  • F

    FormerRebelNov 19, 2014 at 9:08 pm

    What a great & insightful article from what clearly is a very perceptive & sophisticated young woman. While I cannot attest to how the current football players behave towards the cheerleaders of today, I know that the attitudes of former football players towards the cheerleaders and their efforts were hardly considered appreciative. I can only assume that those sentiments are similarly in today’s class. School spirit is certainly a good thing, and can be very fun for all the parties involved. However, it becomes sort of unhealthy when the spirit is solely in favor one and on the backs of another. Finally, the act of “secret-psyching” someone who does not even acknowledge/recognize you and your efforts is on the verge of being basically deranged. That being said, I think tradition could continue if only it is equally reciprocated by the football players. Furthermore, I think the coaches of the football team can find it easy to allow for the omittance of one practice in favor of supporting the women who are cheering for them through each and every game.

    Many people seem to understand that this practice is unfair due to the lack of mutuality, but then fail to agree that this is sexist. While this may not be a brazen exhibit of verbal sexism, it is undoubtedly example of the still sexist conventions of our society. Bottom line, the traditionally female cheerleaders are made to, in many way subserviently, support the male football players with nearly nothing in return. The only message one can take from is that the athletic activities of males are far more important than those of the females. Which is in turn, societal sexism.

    Every one has a right to disagree. It is pretty clear that this Jared Splaine fellow must be a current football player seeing as those he lacks any self-reflection on the issue, and any critical thinking. He rather resorts to attacking the writer instead of analyzing the issue, and the author’s overall sentiments. FYI Jared – Editorials usually are emotionally charged as they based on the author’s personal opinions! There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

    Emily – Phenomenal article! You possess intellect and insight well beyond your years that will serve you well beyond the bubble of Walpole and in the real world. As for your critics, please ignore. As awful as it sounds, they are not mature enough yet to realize the way the world works, the implications their actions have, and what they symbolically mean in society. Many of them are simply enjoying being undeservingly spoiled while it lasts with no regard for others whatsoever. Subconsciously, they know that any deep self-reflection will not have self-serving results. Surely, in a few years, they will at the very least regret how they treated others and realize they were being rude.

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  • W

    Walpole StudentNov 19, 2014 at 7:01 pm

    This is awesome! My sister was a walpole cheerleader and she would always complain about how the football team treated her when she didn’t have the time or money to decorate her football player’s locker or buy him the B.J Wrap he requested. And yet the boys aren’t required to continuously, throughout the season, provide the girls with the encouragement and support they deserve. Spending $30 on 1 present (a sweatshirt or a gym bag) at the end of the season in no way makes up for the 100s of dollars the girls spend on buying them food. Great article Emily, someone needed to speak up.

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  • J

    Jared SplaineNov 19, 2014 at 6:40 pm

    Hey Hannah, thanks for your shoutout. Unfortunately your examples are invalid. Dan Shaugnessy and Bob Ryan are seasoned journalists with years of experience and intimate knowledge of the inner workings of the teams for which they write. In contrast, what we have here is an emotionally charged rant by an amateur writer who has made no effort to obtain testimony from those involved in the matter at hand and provides no evidence to support her claims. Shaugnessy and Ryan, as responsible journalists, conduct interviews, and research the topics they write about. The fact that neither of these elements are present in this biased rhetoric is what I find to be a bit troubling.

    And as for our beloved Barstool. I’m going to reach a little bit here and assume that you’re not a regular reader, so I’ll fill you in. Barstool is a satirical website who’s bloggers sit in their underwear in front of a computer screen for about 8 hours per day and crack jokes about mainstream headlines, quirky news stories and the occasional sports story. Yes, by no means are they professional. But if you read it (researching something before using it to back up a claim… hmm..) you’d know that they admit that consistently. There’s a difference between a group of frathouse joyboys poking fun at the news and a high school student misrepresenting a group of people based on absolutely nothing except personal bias. Journalists have every right to write about any topic or activity in which he/she has never been involved. But when that writing is riddled with inaccuracies, slanderous accusations, and baseless assumptions, it is simply unnacceptable. You now have several testimonies verifying that most players indeed reciprocate the cheerleaders’ kindness and show them the respect they deserve. The article sort of loses its integrity once a cheer captain comes out and debunks its main argument, wouldn’t you agree?

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  • K

    Kendall JohnsonNov 19, 2014 at 2:39 pm

    I also agree with Emily’s statement that there is more to cheerleading than standing on the sidelines of a football game. Although this is all the school may see us as, we compete against highly competitive teams over the weekends. We do not spend our time at practice going over sideline cheers and half time shows. Our 2 hour practice consists of a hardcore routine filled with difficult tumbling and stunting. To WHS ALUM, it is a shame that you aren’t aware what cheerleaders are capable of. We, just like every other sports team at WHS, are athletes as well and should be recognized as so. Cheerleading has changed over time, and like Rebel Cheer stated, our entire team has built off of standing tucks, layouts, and even a full. It takes time and skill to make the varsity cheerleading team, and every girl on this team deserved the spot to be there. You are correct, WHS ALUM, that not all girls are strong at tumbling, however, their talents make up in other places such as jumps, stunts, motions, and dancing. I congratulate you on being able to point out weaknesses that athletes are capable of, but just like any other sports team, these girls make up for it in other areas.

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  • F

    Former CheerleaderNov 19, 2014 at 2:25 pm

    WHS ALUM: “If you don’t want it to be a sexist issue then the cheerleaders should not wear skimpy uniforms or load on the makeup to make them selves look “sexier””…..first of all that’s a pretty bold generalization to make about all cheerleaders. Second of all your statement is in fact a perfect example what sexism is: prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination, typically against women, on the basis of sex. Essentially what you are saying is that girls should dress in a way that won’t distract boys, that girls are the problem and it is their own fault if they are mistreated. Where is the equality there? What does that say about our boys, that they cannot and should not have to respect any girl based on her outfit? Boys do not dress in a way that is approved by girls. These YOUNG girls are not sexualizing their bodies…you are. You are saying that they should be ashamed of their bodies and if they are not than it is their own fault for the way they are treated. If a girl (any girl not just cheerleaders) is dressed “skimpy” then she should be subject to derogatory treatment from boys? I think this is saying a lot more about boys than it is girls, maybe the boys should be taught to have respect for girls regardless of what they are wearing. Telling a girl how to look and dress is sexist, they should not have to live by the rules of the boys.

    WHS ALUM: on another note you are also not as informed as you claim to be about cheerleading seeing that you emphasize that there were years when some people didn’t even have a backhandspring. While tumbling is an extremely important part to cheerleading and as cheerleading has developed, especially in Walpole, the tumbling skills of the team have also developed, many other factors are included in cheerleading. You also mention that being a WHS cheerleader does not take much skill and you know this because your friends have been cheerleaders. I understand you are entitled to your opinion, but opinion in fact is all that it is. A very basic cheer stunt and even a backhandspring both take a lot of strength, control, and practice, Walpole cheerleaders practice advanced stunts and tumbling that require extreme physical strength and dedication. If throwing someone up in the air and catching them in a standing position on their opposite foot right after doing a jump into a back tuck only to be followed by many more sequences like this isn’t skill, then I don’t know what is.

    I would just like to note that the matter brought up by WHS ALUM is a completely separate issue from that of “secret psych.” I do not believe what the cheerleaders are experiencing is sexism, but as many have pointed out, it is a matter of mutual respect. As a former WHS cheerleader I can say that I experienced respect, encouragement and support from the football players. Therefore, I did not mind making signs for their lockers to encourage them on game days. Although my experience was positive, the experiences of others clearly prove that this “tradition” should come to an end.

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  • K

    Kendall JohnsonNov 19, 2014 at 1:56 pm

    As the captain of the varsity cheerleading team, I recognize both sides of the current football-cheerleader tradition. However, conflicts have risen over the issue of respect throughout the past couple of years. In support of the football players, we decorate their lockers with signs every Friday, buy them food, cheer at all of their games, and decorate pillow cases for the senior class. In result of our effort, most of us do indeed receive a thank you from our football player each and every week, and we do recognize that respect that most of them do give us. There is , however, a few amount of boys who do not give recognition to the effort that their cheerleader puts in for him at the end of each week. This tradition, like Jared Splaine stated, is voluntary, but we have tried to reduce the amount of times we give the football players gifts, not because they haven’t given us respect, but because not all of the cheerleaders have the time and money to buy their football player food. The boys do recognize this issue, and appreciate the few times that we do get them food. This article was not aimed towards all of the football players, but to the few who do not appreciate the cheerleading team. As captain, a few girls have come to me informing me that their football player was angry that they did not receive a gift in their locker. Whether this statement is true or not, this is the reason why some of the cheerleaders are worried about not giving their football player food.

    Although some of us were slightly bothered the football players could not make it to our baystate competition, it was recognized that the football players’ practice conflicted with the competition. They were informed by their coaches that they all must attend the practice, due to the big game at the end of the week. This, is completely understandable. We would have loved to have the football players there supporting us, however, they were unable to make it due to scheduling issues. This is not the first year that this ‘secret psych’ tradition has caused problems. With the amount of money spent each week, it has slowly been coming to an end, reducing the amount of times we buy them stuff each year. For the past couple of years the captains have been trying to put a stop to this tradition, but the reason why it hasn’t is because some of the girls buy their football player food every week, causing other football players to question why they did not receive anything.

    To the person who submitted the comment about cheerleaders dressing “too sexually”, you have no idea what you are talking about. The only part of our bodies that are initially seen is our legs and I in no way can see how that exemplifies sexual behavior.

    I support both the football players and cheerleaders of course in this situation. I can see where both points come in to play, but this tradition has been coming to an end for a long time. Most of the football players do recognize us and appreciate everything that we do for them, but the football players who are rude to the cheerleaders, are the only ones who don’t show the respect that the cheerleaders deserve. The football team as a whole should not be blamed for this situation, but those few who are incapable of a simple ‘thank you’.

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  • H

    Hannah McLaughlinNov 19, 2014 at 1:54 pm

    **Good

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  • H

    Hannah McLaughlinNov 19, 2014 at 1:52 pm

    Fabulous editorial written by an even more fabulous individual. Way to tackle an issue that for years has been talked about but never truly analyzed. As for the football players whose defensive retorts do nothing but criticize you for “speaking for the cheerleaders,” their flimsy argument as to why you shouldn’t speak your mind about a prevalent issue should not deter you from questioning an out-of-date tradition.

    Journalism is a field steeped in curiosity, discussion, and the quest to find feasible solutions to both small and large-issues. If all journalists were to abide by Splaine’s limitations and preconceived notions of what an editorial writer should and should not write about– i.e. topics or activities in which the writer is not personally and actively involved– imagine how barren the field of journalism would be. Saying that Emily should not write about secret psych between the cheerleading squad and football team simply because she is not a cheerleader or football player herself is a petty reason for why you believe she should not have written the article.

    Do you mean to tell me that Boston Globe columnists Dan Shaughnessy and Bob Ryan are not suited to write about controversial sports issues because they are not 30-somethings playing professional football or baseball themselves? Consider every teenage boy’s favorite blogger David Portnoy. Should he not provide witty comments and opinions about the latest upset in sports simply because he is not a professional athlete or coach? If that were the case, Splaine, our beloved Barstool would be nonexistent.

    Keep writing, Emily. Proud of the conversation you’ve started, and I hope your senior year is going well.

    P.S. 3,797 page views has to be a record!!! Good to see you’ve locked it down and have yet to give up the ship.Cashman probably can’t even contain his joy.

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  • AnonymousNov 19, 2014 at 1:38 pm

    WHS ALUM: “If you don’t want it to be a sexist issue then the cheerleaders should not wear skimpy uniforms or load on the makeup to make them selves look “sexier””…..first of all that’s a pretty bold generalization to make about all cheerleaders. Second of all your statement is in fact a perfect example what sexism is: prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination, typically against women, on the basis of sex. Essentially what you are saying is that girls should dress in a way that won’t distract boys, that girls are the problem and it is their own fault if they are mistreated. Where is the equality there? What does that say about our boys, that they cannot and should not have to respect any girl based on her outfit? Boys do not dress in a way that is approved by girls. These YOUNG girls are not sexualizing their bodies…you are. You are saying that they should be ashamed of their bodies and if they are not than it is their own fault for the way they are treated. If a girl (any girl not just cheerleaders) is dressed “skimpy” then she should be subject to derogatory treatment from boys? I think this is saying a lot more about boys than it is girls, maybe the boys should be taught to have respect for girls regardless of what they are wearing. Telling a girl how to look and dress IS sexist, they should not have to live by the standards of boys.

    I would just like to note that the matter that WHS ALUM brought up is a completely separate issue from that of “secret psych” I do not believe that the cheerleaders are experiencing sexism, however as many have pointed out, it is a matter of mutual respect between. As a former WHS cheerleader I can say that I expericed encouragement, respect, and support from the football players, therefore I actually enjoyed making signs for their lockers to encourage them on game days, seeing that this respect was mutual. Although my personal experience was positive, the experiences clearly explained by others proves that this “tradition” should end.

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  • J

    Joseph BracciniNov 19, 2014 at 8:17 am

    I was extremely impressed with your editiorial. I have witnessed these candy bags for years and have always commented on how backwards I feel this tradition to be. I applaud you for taking a stand and shining a light on an issue that needs to be addressed. You have definitely gotten the conversation started.

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  • A

    Another Walpole ParentNov 18, 2014 at 7:40 pm

    Kudos to Emily for writing this story and for speaking out when others were afraid to do so. This tradition should come to an end, and it will when the adults involved in managing these teams make it happen. If the cheerleaders and the football players want to continue with “Secret Psyche” then perhaps they can do so within their own ranks, just like the other teams do.

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  • F

    Former Cheer ParentNov 18, 2014 at 1:46 pm

    I applaud cheer parent. She has told it like it is. Thank you. Now it’s up to the Walpole High School staff to put an end to this archaic tradition.

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  • F

    Former PlayerNov 17, 2014 at 11:59 pm

    Hey,
    Really enjoyed the article! I think Russell has a point, but altogether, I understand your stance. I suppose where I could find some sort of complaint may be in how your back up cheerleading as something that has evolved but you still find it intrinsically sexist? To me, your suggested solution would be ending to the cheering on the sidelines completely, which would satisfy its inherent sexism. To me, this will be the final steps in a complete dissociation to take place. Perhaps, this will upset some, but the notion that these girls are having an effect on the game is far-fetched. I guess the crowd can be a factor, but why do young women have to get these people fired up? Just cut all ties. This sport needs to develop out of the spotlight of American football. It needs a top-down reconstruction. For chrissakes, the NFL cheerleaders were (are?) not even making minimum wage in Oakland.

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  • K

    KaralynNov 17, 2014 at 5:53 pm

    Even though there are aspects of this article that could be improved, Emily has several valid points in her writing, many of which have been backed up by comments from cheerleaders themselves. Kudos to Emily for having the guts to write about something so controversial that, seeing as it evoked such strong reactions from both sides of the argument, is an issue begging to be discussed and confronted. Thanks to this article, people are talking about—and hopefully rethinking—this outdated tradition. Great work Emily.

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    Jared SplaineNov 17, 2014 at 4:02 pm

    As you already know, I as well as many others throughly resent your article and its sentiment. More than enough cheerleaders agree that this tradition isn’t an issue. If they don’t want to get us stuff, they don’t have to. It happens on a regular basis. We don’t mind either. The tradition is 100% VOLUNTARY, and the cheer team is ultimately under zero obligation whatsoever to participate. And as for reciprocation, football seniors got their respective cheerleaders food, candy, drinks, and even flowers the day of their Bay State competition. The actions of the few football players over the years who have failed to appreciate the cheerleaders commitment to our program in no way represent our overall sentiment towards cheer or any of its members. I suggest you find and use evidence to support your claims. Without it they are egregious and utterly outrageous. Leave the cheerleading team to think and speak for themselves. It is not for you to decide how they feel toward the tradition, and it is especially not for you to label them as naïve just because you happen to disagree with their practice. You are on the outside looking in on this tradition. You have no evidence to support your flawed accusation that the girls are too dumb to know that they are the ‘victims’ of an “intrinsically sexist” institution. They signed up for their activity, we signed up for ours. In the future, let sleeping dogs lie and refrain from stirring the pot for the sake of page views. God bless.

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    Chris BenderNov 17, 2014 at 9:49 am

    I am a football player playing right now for walpole high and I would just like to say that we have the utmost respect for the cheerleaders and appreciate everything that they do for us. The thing that bothers me about this article is that we did not have a choice to go or not. We did not have the field until later that night, and considering it was the day before our playoff game we have to practice. Therefore, we were unable to attend the cheer competition..

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    Ashley CanterNov 17, 2014 at 9:45 am

    While I didn’t graduate from WHS, I did attend it for the first two years of high school and was a cheerleader my freshman year. I decided not to continue the next year because the way that the cheerleaders are treated, it frankly made me quite sad. While I didn’t mind the “secret psych” tradition when I did cheerleading, looking back and telling people about it, I realize it wasn’t quite fair. I decorated someone’s locker every week for pretty much no reason at all. The guys attended our Conference but didn’t even stay for the whole thing, they left right after we did our routine and only spoke to us for about 30 seconds.
    I liked it a lot more when we decorated each other’s lockers before competitions. It felt a lot more like we were supporting each other equally and actually trying to psych everybody up for the competition.
    I do think that this is a very outdated thing, I honestly thought they would have stopped doing it by now because it doesn’t really have a place in today’s society. This is 2014 and cheerleaders’ primary focus is not on football games, it on competitions because its a sport. Whether people decide to acknowledge such or not. Football games can be fun but they aren’t necessary for cheerleaders anymore so I don’t see why they should still be expected to decorate the lockers of the football players.

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    Cheer ParentNov 16, 2014 at 8:41 pm

    Emily, thank you for having the courage to write about this difficult topic. I am the parent of a current WHS Varsity cheerleader and your article has given me a voice I have been trying to find a way to be heard for three years. Typically I am not one to keep my thoughts to myself, however approaching this topic as an underclassman parent to one of the strongest athletic organizations at WHS is intimidating, but this is not why I have not come forward about my feelings of this “secret psych” tradition rather it is my fear that if I speak out against this tradition then my daughter may become a target for those dissatisfied by my words. If I could take all the ramifications of speaking out against the “secret psych” traditions without her being affected I would have spoken out much sooner. But the reality of this situation is that my daughter would bear the brunt of my actions and words. I have in the past encouraged my daughter to speak up for herself and her team when she was a Walpole youth cheerleader. However, that backfired and she still suffers the negative ramifications today. So again I thank Emily, a non-cheerleader, to voice her opinion through this editorial for those of us who felt pressured not to speak in the name of tradition and in fear of the repercussions on our daughters.

    My first introduction to this “secret psych” tradition came to me way before my daughter became a WHS cheerleader. In fact she was in elementary school. I was at my husband’s holiday party on Boston Harbor when I was introduced to a past WHS alum. My husband made the introduction as he knew our daughter’s intense interest in cheerleading and the young woman he was introducing me to was a past WHS cheerleader. Immediately out of her mouth was for us not to send her to WHS if she wanted to be a cheerleader with respect as she then spilled her distain at the tradition that as a duty of being a cheerleader at WHS she had to give the football players gifts before home games. She also told me she quit cheerleading because she did not agree with what she was being asked to do. That night I could not believe my ears. That in this day and age this tradition would be a requirement of being a cheerleader! I thought for sure this tradition she described to me could no longer be going on at our high school. I was painfully wrong.

    Thankfully when my daughter was a freshman she was not assigned a “football” player. There were enough upperclassmen cheerleaders that year to handle all of the senior football players. Let me explain that I spoke up when she was a freshman of my concerns about the reality of this “secret psych” tradition to a friend and mom on the team. Aside from the money spent, my larger fears were that my 14 year old freshman daughter was being asked to contact her football player through social media. Whether that be texting, Insta Gramming, Snap Chatting, or Face Booking him. This tradition supports my then 14 year old daughter to contact a senior 17 or 18 year old football player! This idea was not sitting well with me. The idea of allowing our underclassmen girls in late August/early September of their freshman year to seek out a senior boy football player to “get to know them” is appalling to me. This is a recipe for disaster! I am grateful I had the support of another cheer mother for hearing my concerns that year and not having the 4 freshman girls receive football players. However, a consequence that year of not having a football player for secret psych they were not allowed to join in on the tradition of toilet papering the football players houses. For the past two years freshman cheerleaders have been given football players.

    Sophomore year my daughter did have a football player. At that time she was instructed to contact her football player. To get to know him, ask him his jersey number, his locker number, and his likes for food. She was instructed to buy her football player a sandwich (or gift card to a local sub shop), drink, chips, candy (junk food) and to make a sign to decorate his locker. This current day “secret psych” tradition has evolved through the years and is not the practice of the tradition alumni football players received from the past. My understanding from speaking to former WHS football players is that “back then” the cheerleaders made a bake good to leave inside their lockers along with decorating the outside with a homemade sign. Back then the tradition happened once before the big Walpole vs Norwood game. This year the girls were asked to give their football player something for 4 different regular league games and playoff games (if they were to happen) which as I currently write this is 4 plus playoff games.

    My belief is that the article’s topic although accurate when it targets the tradition as sexist; the larger more alarming issue currently is the lack of respect between the football players and the cheerleaders. One issue of concern during this current season was the issue of the cheerleaders trying to revive an old WHS tradition. In the past the cheerleaders wore the football players shirts during a game. The cheerleaders this year asked their football players for their shirts to wear during the rivalry game against Natick. Although many football players were initially willing the final choice that came from the football team which stood together on their decision was to not allow the girls to wear them. Fact: The football team rallied together under the direction of their captains and coach to not allow the girls to wear the shirts. Opinion: disrespect. (On behalf of the three football captains all three were not in agreement, but ultimately the “no” decision was final.) Fact: If you have attended any of the home football games and stayed at the field during half time you witnessed the cheerleaders performing while the field is over run with the youth of Walpole running all around them and throwing footballs while police officers and football personnel stand by doing nothing. Opinion: disrespectful and unsafe. Fact: At the Bay State Cheer Competition it appeared that the town of Walpole was the only town that did not have football players present to support the cheerleaders. Opinion: disrespect. The reason the football players could not come to this year’s competition I was told was because they were in the playoffs and had to practice. Fact, practice got over thirty minutes before the competition began. The girls performed late in the competition giving the boys time to arrive. Opinion: Lame excuse. Fact, while the boys are in playoff season, the girls are concurrently in their competition season. This means as for the boys the girls practice schedule increases adding to their 4 day practice week the fifth day of practice on Fridays (game day). The girls have been practicing before the last two home playoff games before they come out to support the football team. On top of that last week they competed in three competitions all the while showing support for the football players during their playoff games.

    As I sit and read this article I do not place blame with our youth. Children learn through good role models. I do not fault the boys for their actions and perceived lack of disrespect to a group of girls who support them. I look to the leaders of our school, the administration, athletic director, football, and cheer coaches. Who is overseeing the actions of our students under the direction of a “tradition” of football and cheerleading? For the past three years I have heard rumors that this tradition will stop, but every year it continues. Who is making this decision? Is it cheer? Is it football? Similarly, I have been asking these questions. “What is the purpose of this secret psych tradition? What does it serve to both parties? I have yet to get a straight answer. As parents we look to the administration and the coaches to continue our jobs as role models during the day while our children are in their hands. Somehow disrespect has been allowed to happen right under their noses in a disguise of a tradition within one of the most treasured sports organizations. My hope is that this article brings reality to all those involved and change occurs. I hope the men and women in charge of these organizations show respect to our young men and young women to bring forth change. This is a sexist tradition, that encourages entitled football players and subservient cheerleaders and ultimately as history has shown disrespect from one group to the other. Cheerleading already has enough stereotypes for these girls to filter through to their school community. WHS does not support these girls in their sport especially the organization they choose to support the football team. I look to change occurring with in the leaders of WHS and the football organization.

    I would like to conclude this lengthy response by saying there are many respectful football players. Fact: My daughter’s football player has been gracious, generous, kind and respectful toward her. He thanks her each week through a text. He is pleasant to her and acknowledges her when he passes her in the hallway at school. He did reciprocate with a “goody bag” of her favorite junk food before the Bay State Cheer competition. And he just provided her with an unexpected, generous end of year gift of thanks. Opinion: Respect. I conclude on this positive notion to take the focus off of the football players and cheerleaders and to direct the concern to those who should be monitoring this tradition closely and in its years of failure have the power to stop this antiquated, evolved “secret psych” tradition. I wish the young men on the football team continued success in their upcoming game on Saturday.

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    Barb ReillyNov 16, 2014 at 8:48 am

    Emily, thank you for writing about something that has generated much conversation.
    As a parent of a former Varsity Cheerleader, I was shocked that so much was expected of these girls in terms of shelling out their own money (i.e. usually the parents $$) to buy gifts for the football players and taking time out of their schedules every week to decorate lockers. I am not sure that this is sexist (I agree with you on this Russ Ollis) but it IS an issue nonetheless. The issue is this — it felt unfair and unequal and I wanted to bring it up to the Coaches, and the reaction of my child was one of fear of repercussion, just as “Someone’s Dad” expressed. When ANYTHING that feels unfair is not raised as a concern and their voice feels silenced because of a fear of repercussion then something is very wrong. This wasn’t just my daughter who felt this way. It was a sentiment shared by many of her co-cheerleaders. Like “Someone’s Dad” I remained quiet for concern about what it would do to my child. That makes me wrong too. This is why it makes me very happy to see Emily tackle this topic. It’s a needed conversation.

    Remy — you provide a very solid perspective here and we can all learn from you. I agree with you that this tradition should stop immediately.

    Bill Cullinane –you are so right that it is unfair to paint all football players with the same brush. Many of the football players respected these girls and many are decent people who did appreciate what the cheerleaders did (including you and Russ). Are there players who don’t appreciate all the girls did for them? Yes. Are there players who believe they are better than all others? Absolutely. But that is in great part to the system and a tradition that has long since passed its prime. This is about a sport that has long since changed from its early days to a very seriously competitive and athletic endeavor worthy of more respect than it currently gets. This is about an administration that needs to step in and recognize inequality.

    As for WHS Alum and your “opinion” “If you don’t want it to be a sexist issue then the cheerleaders should not wear skimpy uniforms or load on the makeup to make them selves look “sexier” IS what is sexist in this whole chain. According to your definition, Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte are also dressing too sexy, even sexier than cheerleaders since it is far less material and their private parts are really accentuated. Shame on those swimmers for dressing so sexy and creating a sexist issue.

    Emily thank you for a brave editorial.

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    WHS senior girlNov 16, 2014 at 8:41 am

    The football team has become one of the most disrespectful and sexist group of students in the school and do not deserve any fans. Shame on them for thinking they are entitled to special treatments.

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  • AnonymousNov 16, 2014 at 8:35 am

    Emily, thank you for writing about something that has generated much conversation.
    As a parent of a former Varsity Cheerleader, I was shocked that so much was expected of these girls in terms of shelling out their own money (i.e. usually the parents $$) to buy gifts for the football players and taking time out of their schedules every week to decorate lockers. I am not sure that this is sexist (I agree with you on this Russ Ollis) but it IS an issue nonetheless. The issue is this — it felt unfair and unequal and I wanted to bring it up to the Coaches, and the reaction of my child was one of fear of repercussion, just as “Someone’s Dad” expressed. When ANYTHING that feels unfair is not raised as a concern and their voice feels silenced because of a fear of repercussion then something is very wrong. This wasn’t just my daughter who felt this way. It was a sentiment shared by many of her co-cheerleaders. Like “Someone’s Dad” I remained quiet for concern about what it would do to my child. That makes me wrong too. This is why it makes me very happy to see Emily tackle this topic. It’s a needed conversation.

    Remy — you provide a very solid perspective here and we can all learn from you. I agree with you that this tradition should stop immediately.

    Bill Cullinane –you are so right that it is unfair to paint all football players with the same brush. Many of the football players respected these girls and many are decent people who did appreciate what the cheerleaders did (including you and Russ). Are there players who don’t appreciate all the girls did for them? Yes. Are there players who believe they are better than all others? Absolutely. But that is in great part to the system and a tradition that has long since passed its prime. This is about a sport that has long since changed from its early days to a very seriously competitive and athletic endeavor worthy of more respect than it currently gets. This is about an administration that needs to step in and recognize inequality.

    As for WHS Alum and your “opinion” “If you don’t want it to be a sexist issue then the cheerleaders should not wear skimpy uniforms or load on the makeup to make them selves look “sexier” IS what is sexist in this whole chain. According to your definition, Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte are also dressing too sexy, even sexier than cheerleaders since it is far less material and their private parts are really accentuated. Shame on those swimmers for dressing so sexy and creating a sexist issue.

    Emily thank you for a brave editorial.

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    Nick FullerNov 15, 2014 at 8:46 pm

    As a former editorial writer and editor for the paper, I am impressed with Emily’s argument and admire her passion. Regardless of how you feel about her opinions, this kind of writing creates new discourse and evokes diverse perspectives within the community, as is seen in the comment section. While many of the commentators wished to see student quotes, interviewing football players or cheerleaders as an investigative means would have been an incredibly bad idea. Inevitably, players or students could tell coaches or administrators, leading to complaints or concerns beforehand and hurting the article’s chances of publication. Admittedly, sometimes the school does not like certain articles being published. But this article clearly deserved a chance to show its merits, and I am happy to see it has.

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    WHS ALUMNov 15, 2014 at 2:35 pm

    I actually graduated a few years ago. Just like you guys have your opinions, I have mine. I respect cheerleading and consider it a sport, but that being said I do not believe high school cheer is that serious. I’ve had many friends that cheered for WHS over the years so I do know a lot of what goes on. Maybe it has changed but it wouldn’t have changed that much in just a few years.

    Rebel cheer, I am happy to hear they happen to have tucks and back handsprings, but I know people who were on the varsity cheer team with neither.

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    Andie MooreNov 15, 2014 at 2:09 pm

    As a former cheerleader and a current WHS student I 100% agree with Emily on every single point she made in this article. I understand why some people such as the football players may feel attacked by this article but what those people need to understand is that this discussion is not meant to offend or belittle them, it is simply meant to end a fundamentally sexist tradition that is far beyond outdated. It refers back to the traditional gender roles of the past that it is a woman’s job to wait hand and foot on her man. Times have changed and it’s about time these traditions change too. It is not a cheerleader’s job to stand on the sidelines and look pretty. Cheerleading is a competitive sport just as much as football is and they deserve just as much respect. Therefore if the cheerleaders are going to be spending their time, energy and money on the football players every home game, the football players should also spend their time, energy and money on the cheerleaders. That is what I would consider fair. But the fact that the cheerleaders go above and beyond to support the football players and then get almost nothing in return is indirectly supporting an incredibly flawed idea that the football players are more important, and in turn that men are more important. That is where the sexism lies. I am not saying that the supporters of the tradition are purposely upholding sexist beliefs, I am simply saying that the tradition itself keeps unwanted and untrue stereotypes and “gender roles” alive. If the football players are unwilling to buy gifts for the cheerleaders every time the cheerleaders buy gifts for them, then the practice should end altogether and neither side should receive gifts. Another important point to make is that the inequality exhibited is at the fault of both sides of the matter. Cheerleaders should not be expected to take part in such a sexist tradition, but they should also take a stand of their own to end it rather than waiting for the tradition to be ended for them (though I understand the unwillingness of an individual to do so considering the potential harassment that could -and has- ensued)

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    Remy LoveNov 15, 2014 at 10:48 am

    “WHS ALUM”: Update your facts. That might have been the case when you graduated, but it is 2014, so not a single thing you said is correct.

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    Kia KaizerNov 15, 2014 at 10:03 am

    To the WHS alum saying that it is the cheerleader’s job to solely cheer for the football team and if they don’t want it to be a sexism thing to change the way they dress: did you even read the article? You sound like all those men who disregard women’s issues and say oh well a women’s purpose is to be in the kitchen. Obviously these are different circumstances, but to believe there is no issues under such reasoning IS SEXIST. Furthermore, by blaming the cheerleaders for the sexism by the way they dress, you are only proving Emily’s point greatly with such sexist beliefs. The way the girls dress – which aren’t even skimpy as they cover all sexual parts fully – should have nothing to do with how the footballs treat them as equals.

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    SpencerNov 15, 2014 at 10:01 am

    Hahaha this is a joke right?

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    Rebel CheerNov 15, 2014 at 9:57 am

    WHS Alum
    I’m not sure what decade you went to Walpole High School…
    But the Varsity cheerleading team does not cheer to do games!!! We are a highly competitive cheer program and have been to nationals twice in the past 4 years.
    If you would like to come see them tomorrow at Whitman Hanson High School as they battle to regain the Regional Champs title, it starts at 9:45am
    There you will witness their team TUCKS and back handsprings…
    Know what you are talking about before you comment!!!!

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    Bill CullinaneNov 15, 2014 at 1:46 am

    No offense FanMan, but if you can’t comment behind your own name, why should anyone read what you have to say?

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    Someone's DadNov 14, 2014 at 10:47 pm

    You can debate this until the cows come home. I had a daughter in the cheerleading program and a son in the football program. They both knew how I felt about this tradition. I was tempted at times to express my opinion to the coaches of the football and cheerleading teams. I did not as my kids expressed concerns about repercussions on them.

    But Prinicpal Imbusch, Coach Greener and Coach Dougherty should have recognized this as a backwards practice and put an end to it. Just because you are in the business of education doesn’t mean you have smarts. Get your [act]* together. NOW!

    Edited for appropriateness*

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    Ashley NsitendirkNov 14, 2014 at 10:40 pm

    As a senior cheerleader for a high school very close to Walpole I completely agree with this article. For our team it is an issue we constantly discuss, and have even brought to the football captains. We feel not just that it is sexist but also that it is simply disrespectful to show absolutely no appreciation for all the money we spend on food for psyche bags. We often do not receive even a verbal thank you, nevermind food in return or their attendance at even one of our sporting events. We don’t mind supporting the football team, we’d just like to be recognized as equal human beings, to be appreciated for the nice things we are technically not required to do.

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    Walpole FanManNov 14, 2014 at 10:24 pm

    I for one appreciate the points made and perspective provided by the author. Being an editorial, it does not require sources or even factual data for that matter. It doesn’t require interviews, quotes or otherwise. Like most “columnists,” an editorial reflects the opinions of the writer based on their experiences. The respondents whose opinions differ from the writer, near as I can tell, also did not provide sources but a perspective, which is equally valid. Ms Love was the exception providing a direct account of her experiences as a Walpole Cheerleader which spanned her entire “career” at WHS. I found her factual account of the cheerleaders’ mistreatment upsetting. The author should be applauded for raising these issues in a comprehensive and thought provoking manner. Bravo!

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    WHS ALUMNov 14, 2014 at 9:11 pm

    This article is very biased. Right when I started reading it I could tell it would be all in the cheerleaders favor without any appreciation to the football team. I have always believed cheerleaders (not just WHS but most high schools) hold themselves higher than the rest of the student body. Signing up for high school cheerleading is about supporting the football players and cheering at their games. Yes the cheerleaders have competitions, but no that is not what highschool cheer is about especially at WHS. If that’s what it was about the varsity team would need to have more than just a back handspring (which some don’t even have). The trophy comment bothers me because most of these victories were won against only 1 or 2 other teams. The athleticism of the cheerleaders does not compare to that of the porkers or the football team, but of course cheerleaders think they are better than them. Don’t cheer for a high school football team if you don’t want to be there for them. You’re there to make their game better and that’s it, they aren’t there to help you, they never have been. If you don’t want it to be a sexist issue then the cheerleaders should not wear skimpy uniforms or load on the makeup to make them selves look “sexier”.

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    Ellen CraigNov 14, 2014 at 7:16 pm

    As a former cheerleader for 4 years I don’t think it’s a sexist issue I believe it is more of a lack of respect thing. I think the ‘secret pysch’ tradition should be reciprocated by the football players it would be nice if they put in the time money and effort that all the girls do every week, even for just the competitions that they compete in. And in all honesty most of the football players are inconsiderate and ungrateful so most of them are undeserving of the gifts that they recieve.

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    Bill CullinaneNov 14, 2014 at 7:11 pm

    Russ/ Krystal,

    To say that good journalism is about “being bold” is a severe oversimplification. As Krystal noted, quotes are not required to express an opinion. That said, if one wishes for his or her opinion to be seriously considered by others, he or she should provide some sort of tangible evidence to support his or her claims. After all, something must separate reporting from writing a diary entry or a Facebook status.

    “The author clearly did her job in finding facts (like the trophy thing) to get readers to think, and she didn’t throw around any stereotypes…”

    Calling cheerleaders naive and claiming that they’re incapable of recognizing sexism due to their age is a major generalization (I’d say it’s a stereotype but I don’t think most people feel that way). As you can see above, cheerleaders, regardless of age or gender, are fully capable of recognizing sexism, injustice, inequality, etc. Frankly, to suggest otherwise is downright offensive.

    Similarly, to suggest that no football players appreciate the generosity of the cheerleaders is equally unfair. If one wishes to make these statements as if they are fact, one must be prepared to support his or her argument.

    Remy,

    I couldn’t agree more with you regarding this tradition. I don’t see any reason why cheerleaders should be expected to spend their own money on decorating lockers or buying gifts for football players. Likewise, I don’t necessarily think cheerleaders should be expected to attend sporting events. The perception of cheerleading has changed dramatically over the years and, in my opinion, this sport should not need to be affiliated with any other sport(s).

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    Christian DeCelleNov 14, 2014 at 6:38 pm

    I read your article, and congrats for stirring up such a controversy and I do truly believe in a lot of the things you said, but I do not like your article.
    In my opinion, opinions don’t change when someone feels like they are being lectured. Sure the feminists and liberals (not using either word derogatorily like many at WHS would) will give you a pat on the back and say you did a great thing, but the minds of those who can actually make a difference aren’t being changed.
    Your article make the reader feel like they have to defend, not just their argument, but their own character, by suggesting that anyone who doesn’t conform with your opinion (no matter how valid it may be) is lesser because you are in the right (even if you are). You start off the article with a mostly fair look at the issue, stating that cheerleading is inherently sexist and that you do not think the football players sufficiently repay the cheerleaders for what they do, but then after the second paragraph your tone changes from cool and logical to harsh and emotional. After you write “the sport of cheerleading” you tack on “—and yes, it is a sport—” which is an unnecessary aside which appears like it is coming from a snarky teenager, and not a newspaper (even if it is a high school paper). That aside changes the tone from a passionate analysis of the argument to an attack on the reader. You begin bombarding the reader with questions, “who has the most trophies”, “The Porkers?”, The… Football Team?”and it sounds like you are not asking to increase the impact of the realization that the cheerleaders have the most trophies, but to point out how naive the reader is in an offensive way. The sarcastic questions continue later on with a “could you imagine that?” and “Is that really that incomprehensible?” challenging the reader’s ability to think. Even if it is sarcastic, that sarcasm belittles the reader by setting yourself apart as a superior. The superiority and tone makes the article feel more like a lecture than an argument which is by definition a two-way affair.
    Not only does the reader feel alienated by your argument, but you offend those that actually have the ability to implement real change. You claim that the cheerleaders decorate the players lockers and that none of them “even appreciate their artwork”, but since then, players, notably Splaine, have come out and insisted that they do appreciate them and those who don’t are a minority. Maybe saying that the players don’t always show their appreciation would be more effective, but the message the players get is that they are just ungrateful and should feel ashamed for it. Shaming people is not a good way to get them to believe you; Shame only serves to put people down. The football players are also outright insulted. Not only are they called “stubborn”, but they are dehumanized when you claim the cheerleaders are giving in to the “game-day appetites” of the “team” and classifying them as one collective, animalistic, hungry mass of man. No one is going to give your argument any merit if you are calling them a simple beast. Even the cheerleaders might be offended. You indirectly refer to the cheerleaders as naive by saying the “cheerleaders probably do not see the sexism” followed by “the naive mind that cannot even perceive the sexism”. You inform us that not only is anyone who can’t see the sexism an idiot, but you propose that the cheerleaders themselves can not see it, and by your logic must be completely ignorant. You depreciate the cheerleaders into Stockholm Syndrome-d slaves, and compare the men are into brutes.

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    Remy LoveNov 14, 2014 at 6:33 pm

    This article needed to be written. As a former WHS Varsity cheerleader of 4 years, in addition to being a senior captain, I can absolutely speak on behalf of the cheerleaders. At least, I can speak on behalf of those who see the utter ridiculousness of the practice. Here’s my experience: I usually spent about $10 per game (some spent more, some much more), there are 10 games in a season, and high school lasts 4 years. So, a total of $400 comes out of my own wallet by the end of my high school career. In return, the football teams attends merely one competition of ours. Additionally, they booed us at one pep rally, rarely gave a simple “thank you”, and even egged us and our cars during the traditional toilet papering of their houses the night before the big rivalry game. In response to the alumni cheerleader, the gift which they give us during the pasta dinner is paid for by the Gridiron Boosters. My mother, as treasurer of the Gridiron Boosters, constantly vouched for us cheerleaders, and one year she encouraged the football players get us gifts before one of our competitions. Needless to say, this never became a tradition. She found out by my senior year that no one is making us do this: we’re doing it by our own prerogative. I felt pretty stupid when I discovered that, so I, along with the other seniors, enforced the rule that we will only give gifts for 4 of the games. Our intention was for the following years to give even less gifts, and eventually phase out the practice, but I cannot say whether that is happening or not. This tradition has been going on since the 80s, which is much more sexist than 2014. The purpose of cheerleading was to cheer on the football team; now, in competitive cheerleading, cheerleaders compete for themselves. No practice time in the fall is dedicated to game cheers. I cannot say that this is an issue of gender inequality, but it is an issue of inequality nonetheless. My advice is that cheerleaders cease the tradition immediately, since there is simply no use for it.

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    Krystal SkwarNov 14, 2014 at 5:46 pm

    Russ, I totally agree that this is a “bold” take. That is what good journalism is about – being bold. It got you to react, and usually, beneath that reaction, there is some thinking going on. The author clearly did her job in finding facts (like the trophy thing) to get readers to think, and she didn’t throw around any stereotypes – in fact, she tried to break stereotypes by pointing out how the secret psych tradition could validate myths about a woman’s subordinate role. Given the gender dynamics at play with this tradition, and given the angle of her article, an exploration of this idea was needed to make the point.

    The writer does a good job voicing her opinion about a tradition she sees played out in the hallways of her own school – her status as an editorial writer and member of the student body validates her point of view; technically (and ethically), quotes are not needed given her position as a literal witness to this stuff.

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    Walpole ParentNov 14, 2014 at 5:18 pm

    I admire the author for writing such an article and absolutely agree that it is an outdated tradition. It should at least be reciprocated by the football players if the cheerleaders feel they need to continue doing it.

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    Bill CullinaneNov 14, 2014 at 5:11 pm

    First of all, this is a very well written piece. I’m glad to see that the Rebellion is still willing to address controversial issues. That said, one of the oldest mantras of journalism is “if your mother says she loves you, check it out.” While this piece is well written and not without journalistic value, I wish that the author would have cited an opinion other than her own.

    As a former football player, I firmly believe that most seniors truly appreciate the efforts put forth by cheerleaders during secret psych. Of course, this is not true in every case. This is an unfortunate truth, but it is worth mentioning in defense of the author’s editorial. Again, with that being said, the generalizations made about male athletes in this piece are entirely unfair. As a senior, my teammates and I all attended the Bay State cheerleading competion and found the athletic feats displayed by the Walpole (and other) teams extremely impressive.

    It’s unfortunate that the football players were incapable of attending this event this year, but I don’t consider it to be a matter of sexist oppression.

    Differences of opinion aside, as a former Rebellion editor, I applaud you for taking a stance on a controversial issue. However, in the future, I’d simply recommend that you seek the opinions of those directly affected by the issue in question.

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    Lisa LindenNov 14, 2014 at 4:55 pm

    Emily, I am glad to have read such an astute and well written editorial! You have drawn attention to cultural assumptions which we don’t question as much as perhaps we should. It takes courage to be the first to come forward and publicly challenge those assumptions. I look forward to reading more from you.

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    Rebel CheerNov 14, 2014 at 4:25 pm

    Although it is not about being sexist, it’s about respect and support
    It is a long standing tradition, but one that should come to an end.
    The boys have not showed respect or support to the girls who spend their time buying them gifts, make signs for their lockers, decorating pillow cases, and cheering at ALL the games. Not showing up to support them at Baystates is wrong and it does affect the girls that the ONE league event they participate in they can’t be bothered to attend.
    And the gift the girls receive at the pasta dinner comes from their moms-gridiron.. Not the boys

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    Walpole ParentNov 14, 2014 at 2:32 pm

    What an intelligent and well-written opinion. Congratulations to the author and good luck in college — I am sure you will have great success.

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    Krystal SkwarNov 14, 2014 at 1:44 pm

    I’m so happy that you wrote this Emily. Great piece. I agree that this tradition is very outdated.

    “However, most cheerleaders probably do not see the sexism behind their actions; “secret psych” is just something cheerleaders do. It is that mentality (the naive mind that cannot even perceive the sexism) that is the most dangerous to the teenagers in this school.”

    This quote brings home a very good point. Teens (especially teen girls, but also teen boys) are subjected to sexism more than most adults are. And yet, for the most part, they are not taught how to recognize it and confront it. Your article helps to change that! 🙂

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    Russ OllisNov 14, 2014 at 1:26 pm

    This is a bold, hot take on a virtually non-existent issue. Nowhere in this article do I see quotes from cheerleaders, football players, coaches, administrators, or the like. There are a great deal of bold assumptions, as well as stereotypes, that are being tossed around here that make me question the journalistic integrity of my beloved Rebellion. It seems you are the only one with a grievance, but if I am wrong I see no quote from anyone who has reciprocal feelings. Perhaps through journalistic investigation and by asking questions to both parties involved – cheerleaders and football players – you could get a more accurate representation of the “sexist tradition.” Just because one party is mainly females and the other is male does not make it inherently sexist – that would be calling prom sexist or any other event involving the sexes. While I see your point about the football team missing the cheerleading event, I do not see how you can make an assumption without finding out the reasoning behind their absence. Did the coaches know that was the date of the cheerleaders competition or was it a simple slip-up? More investigation and seeking answers from the appropriate parties is necessary before writing a biting piece aimed directly at the football team – calling them perpetuators of a sexist tradition.

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    WHS AlumniNov 14, 2014 at 1:16 pm

    I would just like to inform you that as an alumni who graduated in 2000 and was on the cheerleading team, and did this tradition, I would not regard to it as “sexist”. There has been years where the football team has not been able to go to Bay States. I would not view that as sexist whatsoever. Like mentioned in the article, it is called a scheduling conflict. Nothing more, and nothing to be blown out of proportion. Also, before writing an article, please do more research. The pasta dinner before the Norwood game is when football players give the cheerleaders gifts to thank them for decorating lockers and everything else in between, that is how they are always thanked for their hard work, not by attending baystates.

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Sexist “Secret Psych” Tradition between Cheerleaders and Football Players Needs to Stop