Solution

                                                 

                In the case of “clique bullying” a lot of people think of this problem as one that cannot be fixed and is universal.  Even though this is something that has happened throughout history and continues to happen, there are some key things that a victim of any situations like this can use as a solution to keeping individuality in any situation. To have a solution to this problem these are some of the most important thing for a victim of “clique bullying” to keep in mind:

1.     Knowing that they aren’t alone and that all high schools has the same clique of mean girls.

2.     Using this knowledge to find shared opinions in other parts of social groups, making connections similar to those made in the Breakfast Club so that you can understand the individuality of those around you rather than judging by what click they are in.

3.     Not staying home or missing out on activities or school because of fear. Despite cliques creating havoc in other cliques lives, being level headed allows for more opportunities for shared experiences.

4.     “Clique bullying” is a wide spread epidemic within schools, with 160, 000 students a year staying home because they are afraid of what will happen to them at school. Starting a club similar to an experience like challenge day to share their stories allows people to become empowered by joining together and sharing. This club would help tin the cause by bringing awareness to the problem and finding solutions for this abuse in schools. Having these conversations can often bring students together and open their eyes to the people around them.

Textual Evidence

                                            

            Because this is a universal issue, we are able to find these themes throughout the texts of Sodom and Gemorah and Pilegesh B’givah. In both of these texts we see corrupt societies where by a majority of minority mindset each person is given the reputation of their negative society. In Sodom and Gemorah, when there are visitors, the angels, the society is unable to accept ones different them and try to treat them violently. Just as the guests had agreed to stay, “Sodomites converged upon the house, from young to old, all the people from every quarter. And they called to Lot and said to him. “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may know them.” (Genesis 19:4-5) They were unable to accept someone different and could only stick to what they knew. It continues to show, even after the city is destroyed, that Lot’s family is still sinning like the rest of the city that they had left. Even after seeing what happened to those who sinned, they got their father drunk and conceived two daughters with their father, keeping them connected to those who had been destroyed. (Genesis 19:36) Similarly, in Pilegesh B’givah, it is clear that the tribes define in their own version of a “clique” who they are and their actions. When an Ephraimite was traveling and resided in Gibeah, a Benjaminite town, they were immediately not accepted. The only person who would take them in was an Ephraimite who was now living there. (Judges 19:16) Quickly, Benjaminites would not accept this visiting, “pounding on the door they called to the aged owner of the house, “Bring out the man who has come into your house, so that we can be intimate with him.” (Judges 19:22) This is an echo to the story of Sodom and Gemorah showing the universal labels issue, and these corrupt cities lack of ability to accept newcomers. 

The Breakfast Club

The Breakfast Club

            It takes time to look past the labels associated with their peers, so if you do, they will in-turn understand and appreciate their peers more. Society in general is far too often prejudiced and The Breakfast Club allows viewers to relate to the pain felt by each of its characters. The Breakfast Club expands on the idea that these very stereotypes are avoidable. It brings out the idea that people need to stop being afraid of telling the truth. If Allison and Claire weren’t afraid of how they might be treated for classifying themselves as virgins, then they would have had a chance at being friends long before the Saturday detention. This goes for all five of the students. The time spent together alone in the school library allowed them to look past the masks that they each wear. Through this, they discovered that they all share similar feelings and attitudes. For one special Saturday afternoon, the five are able to be themselves, letting go of stereotypes and speaking on behalf of they own friends who fall into the same groups as them.

The problem

Labels

            Today, the issue of stereotyping is prevalent both in our small community as well as the entire world. As one crime or injustice is committed, their whole social group or “type” is discriminated against. In high school, this means students falling into a certain group: jocks, cheerleaders, punks, deadheads, druggies, geeks, and all the rest. Just about everyone receives an unofficial but virtually unchangeable assignment to a particular group. As administration or teachers have little effect as a higher power over this, labels continue to reinforce stereotypes and prejudices; they prevent us from accepting individuals and getting to know the real person. This theme of lack of individuality and labeling can be followed throughout history, up until today.