By Mike Zolovich

When you walk down the hallways of Phoenixville, you may notice a whole group of people making fun of one poor, defenseless student. Seeing this sight, you casually pass on without a second look. Maybe you, yourself, are one of those people doing the teasing? As any student will know, discrimination/ making fun of people is a natural part of high school. However, I don’t think a lot of people realize what it’s like on the other end of the spectrum: being the one made fun of. Either it’s that, or people don’t realize others make fun of them behind their back, and they turn a blind eye to it.

Recently, I made a survey with ten questions which was given to 30 random people who completed it anonymously. The survey was given out in late December of 2008. Here are the results: analyze them how you wish.

• 14% of all the people polled said that they use a racial slur or rude name about someone/a certain race very frequently.
• 50% of people said they make fun of other people with their friends.
• 16% of people said they make fun of other people with their family.
• The groups that are made fun of the most are the “Weirdoes”, “Emo” kids, and Mexicans.
• 11% of people said they NEVER feel guilty after making fun of someone. 30% said they only feel guilty SOMETIMES.
• 38% of people said that they don’t know why they make fun of others. 21% said they do it to get a good laugh while 6% said they make fun of others because “they deserve it.”

There were six statements on the survey upon which the respondents had to rate whether they agreed with, or disagreed with. The ratings were from one to seven. This is the scale on which they rated these statements:

7=Strongly Agree 6=Agree 5=Somewhat Agree 4=Neutral

3=Slightly Disagree 2=Disagree 1=Strongly Disagree

Below are the six statements given on the survey and the average answer given out of 30 people:

People make fun of others because it’s the “cool thing” to do.

(Average Answer: 4)

People usually make fun of others because of their appearance.

(Average Answer: 5)

People make fun of others because they’re jealous of them.

(Average Answer: 5)

People make fun of others because of their interests.

(Average Answer: 5)

I try my hardest not to make fun of anybody

(Average Answer: 4)

The amount of discrimination/bullying in this school is ridiculous and needs to decrease

(Average Answer: 5)

The findings in this survey are both expected and shocking at the same time. It’s obvious that students in Phoenixville High School make fun of people, mostly with their friends. But what is really shocking is that these teenagers make fun of other kids with their own family. Only 11% of people ever feel guilty after making fun of someone. Even more people only feel guilty sometimes. The worst part of all of this: people don’t know why they make fun of others.

I have to say that I am quite appalled and angered buy these results. I cannot believe that 14% of people use racial slurs very frequently! I can’t even begin to imagine the kinds of words thy use. I’m sure the readers of this article can. I am extremely surprised that people make fun of others with their family! What kinds of things are the parents teaching their kids by doing this? Yeah, they’re great role models.

And why are the Weirdoes, Emo Kids, and Mexicans the groups that are made fun of the most? Some responses from students were: “Because it’s funny,” “It’s because of their actions,” “They’re annoying,” “It’s just a regular thing,” “They’re really awkward,” and “Because they’re not like me.” This aggravates me to the core! It shouldn’t be a regular thing to tease people, even if they seem awkward. And as for these groups not being like the rest of the fad-following teens in the high school, well I think that’s a good thing. I give these people credit for being themselves. There is no reason for teasing these people.

I don’t understand how people can’t feel guilty after making fun of someone. Think of how that person feels. If a kid gets made fun of everyday by people in this school, what do you think happens? Those kids probably go home to their house and cry because they’ve been going through this for who knows how long. Imagine how they must feel! What happens if they go home and think of suicide? You may laugh, but you don’t know what’s going on in that person’s life, and your taunting doesn’t help.

Why do students make fun of other people? According to this survey, most of them don’t know why! If they don’t have a reason (and because “they’re not like me” doesn’t count) then why bother to make fun of others? What satisfaction can they get? Again, imagine how people feel next time you go and tease them and maybe you’ll be nicer.

As for the statements with the average answers: I have to say that these answers are unbelievable, in the fact that I simply do not believe that the averages are true. I agree with the average for the “People make fun of each other because it’s the cool thing to do,” but I don’t agree with the average for the “People usually make fun of others because of their appearance.” I know for a FACT that people judge and discriminate based on someone’s appearance. I see it ALL THE TIME at school. I would have expected the average to be 7 (Strongly Agree). I also know for a fact that people make fun of others because they’re jealous of them and because of their interests. It’s just like you see some of the clubs in the school nowadays, like the GSA and Anime club, getting bashed because of what their group likes. I would have thought the people in this school would try harder not to make fun of people. I expected people to care more about this school’s bullying. In my opinion, it needs to go down a lot.

I suggest that everyone take part in “No Name Calling Week.” It takes place January 26^th-January 30^th. No Name Calling Week’s main purpose is help build tolerance by trying to stop kids from calling each other bad names. I think PAHS needs to practice this event. It would be a good idea. To learn more go to www.nonamecallingweek.org

I CAN say that I expected more honesty from the students in this school on this surevey. I can’t say, however, that I never make fun of people. I too am guilty of some of the things mentioned in the survey. I, however, recognize a lot of the things that happen at PAHS, while most people turn a blind eye to it. My diagnosis: this school needs an extreme makeover, myself included.