During the winter pep rally, a kid sitting behind me continually yelled out, “You’re awkward” and other inappropriate comments to those on stage. No one laughed, but he continued to say these things for the rest of the rally. I understand that the entire rally isn’t always fun or interesting, but that doesn’t mean being rude is okay.

Yes, sometimes making fun of someone or making crude remarks is funny. But there is a huge difference between talking among friends and yelling these thoughts aloud. When immature thoughts are said privately or with friends, they are simply cruel jokes and aren’t harmful to anyone. When these thoughts are said out loud and/or in public, it becomes a serious attack against a person and is offensive and obnoxious to everyone.

People will make fun of one another and say some horrible things, and that isn’t good, but that seems to be how school works. There are serious reprecussions to these hurtful words. Bottom line, yelling out insults to people on stage is bullying and can cause emotional harm. It is never appropriate or funny to say these things outloud because they change from something humorous to something degrading and hurtful. So stop yelling out these hurtful things. If you really feel the urge to complain or mock someone, do it when it is you and your friends and not the entire student body.