(February 28, 2001) -- Recently a string of student-run websites began to arise that slander administrators and students at Clark Magnet High School. Many of these domains have come under fire not because they defame students but rather on the grounds of the defamation. Polls such as the “gayest guy at Clark” and “most likely to become a prostitute” are just a few of the queries that lead to concern. These concerns and many more are not limited to the Internet, but extend as a societal and  school  issue.

In most adolescent social environments, racism is hardly tolerated and vulgar phrases such as the “N- word” are viewed with utmost disapproval. However, it seems that slanderous material relative to homosexuality and female objectification are not only tolerated by Clark students, but are also accepted and viewed as a laughing matter. As George Orwell implied, all people are equal but some people are more equal that others.

Offensive as this material may be, is it really so surprising coming from America’s youth? Students are raised in a country where most state laws prohibit same-sex marriages and people who are openly homosexual are forced to obey a ridiculous “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in the military.

So it’s not that surprising that many students utilize vulgar and obscene homophobic phrases. Whether or not these obscenities are fueled by jest or comedy is completely irrelevant. Genetic inheritance should not be the basis of judgment, and if it is, why not prohibit interracial marriages or relationships between individuals of different hair color?
However, it’s not just homosexuals that face slander here at Clark. Females must endure the implicit pressures of a sexist media and are expected to live up to the aesthetic standards that many people set up for them.

Again, it’s really not that surprising that Clark students allow such falsehoods to develop. Every day teenagers are subjected to a media that portrays females as sexual servants and objects. This objectification is exemplified in music videos where female strippers are hosed down with alcoholic beverages and absolutely nothing is left to the imagination with the “barely-there” attire that some of these individuals wear.

No individual should be subjected to any form of misogyny or homophobia. Both females and homosexuals are human and deserve the same amount of respect as any other member of society.