Internet's Slut Shaming

In Western society, a flair for promiscuity and sexual deviancy, especially beholden in the eye of the public, is strongly denounced. The act of working to humiliate or create guilt in a person because of their body exposure or activities they participate in has been coined “slut shaming”.

What is the reason for this censure? Why is such a strongly sexualized culture so obsessed with purity and wholesomeness? The double standards are employed in the media industry, and especially seen strongest in online communities. It seems celebrities and commercials are nearly lauded for sexualization to sell a product, but for some reason, a woman having multiple sexual partners is met with incredible opposition.

Reasons for “slut shaming” appear to be few and far between. Inherently, the only “problems” with several sexual partners is fear of pregnancy or STDs. However, at the end of the day, one's own body is still their own, so whatever they do to it is their own business. Perhaps religion may play a part- belief in saving someone from deadly sin or a hell could be a major driving force. Regardless, the internet is infuriated about slut shaming- very, very mad.

The blogging website tumblr.com, which is particularly notorious in internet circles for the overwhelming political views of its feminist users, the anti-slut shaming movement has gained an extraordinary amount of traction. Blogs such as endslutshaming.tumblr.com, publicshaming.tumblr.com, and slut-shaming.tumblr.com have amassed thousands of followers, each spreading the same ideas and agenda- explaining the horrors of slut shaming and what a negative impact it has on our culture.

Sadly, good causes are often won- and lost on the internet. Many have become lost in their spheres of self-importance and righteousness, to the point where goals are abandoned and lost sight of. Just searching “slut shaming tumblr” on google will link you to several sites that incredibly appear to be doing nothing to fix the problem, merely existing to complain of injustices without taking action. Oftentimes, it is not obvious some “slut shame” to hide their own insecurities or as a method of cyber bullying.

It is appropriate to say the problems have been identified. The internet grants anonymity, but it has also began fueling pointless wars. Fights on what or what not can be slut shaming are abound on tumblr. Few choose to try and refute some of the more ridiculous and pointless claims of hardcore feminists, but their posts are met with scorn, creating a singularity, a hivemind. Discussion is difficult, and oftentimes utterly pointless, accomplishing nothing.

Slut shaming is a serious issue, but unfortunately may not be viewed as important off the internet as it is on. An complete appropriation of American culture is unlikely to happen overnight. Much like racism, it is easy to see the criticizing of females for their choice of clothing or act of being sexually open far into the future, but it may yet change.

The Tale of Millis Track & Field

Millis, MA participates in the Tri-Valley League and faces Norton in several sports.

Sometimes, a return trip can take years longer than the initial journey from point A to point B and back again. For some, the drive back to your hometown after a crushing defeat in a sporting competition can be the same way. The bus, you’d expect to be somber, reflective, and quiet, devoid of cheer, laughter, and music. It’s easier to forget the loss this way, for some. However, some don’t need to forget. Some don’t want to.

It’s peculiar, leaving a staggering loss, a competition, in extraordinarily good spirits. However, this is exactly how the Millis High School Track and Field team returns every time. A triumph for them always doesn’t have to be an undefeated season, or hanging a banner for a state championship. A victory may not come in the form of a win of a dual or tri-meet, but remaining positive, running hard, and trying their best, no matter what.

Millis is one of the smallest teams in the Trivalley League (TVL) across all three seasons of running: Cross Country, Indoor Track and Field, and Outdoor Track and Field. Their program doesn’t have many tallies in the wins column, for either the boy’s or girl’s teams. This doesn’t stop them from training hard and keeping their spirits high, however. Kendall Hyyti is the team’s manager, a former softball and basketball athlete, sidelined due to medical difficulties. Because of the size of the teams, Millis employs only a single coach for the girl's team, and one for the boy's. This leaves responsibilities such as leading warm-ups, ordering apparel, taking times, and even leading practices to Hyyti. One of her motivating catch-phrases is, “You're not going to get better if you sit there and complain”.

“We don't go to meets expecting to lose. We go to meets expecting everyone to do their best and do their hardest”.

The attitude of this extraordinary team, simply put, just isn’t something seen at other schools. In a world obsessed with winning, Millis stays grounded in reality, and instead focuses on the greater picture. Hyyti says, “I really love the team, it's like one big family. As cliché as that sounds, everyone is always there for each other… no one ever has a negative attitude”.

The future can always look bright, no matter how dark the past can be. Hyyti is looking forward to the spring track season, which has it’s first meet in early April. When asked about the team’s success, she responded, “This year we have an exceptionally big team. I'm expecting [and] hoping them to do really well this season”. The team will be training hard every day. Expect to see a great many personal, and even school records this season from athletes John Frasca, along with others. After all, you're not going to get better if you stand there and complain.

Town Remembers Fallen Soldier

Losing your life under military service is often regarded as “the ultimate sacrifice”, but sadly the heroes who pass on while serving their country are quickly forgotten. Master Sgt. Gregory R. Trent, died August 8, 2012, at 38 years of age. The Norton Gold Star Committee stepped up, determined not to have this great man's legacy lost to time, like so many others.

Gregory Trent was a long time Norton resident, graduating from Norton High School in 1992. Shortly after, he pledged his service to the United States Army and would serve a total of 5 deployments before suffering wounds from small-arms fire in Baktabad, Afghanistan. After hearing about MSG Gregory R. Trent's death, several citizens in Norton banded together to form the Norton Gold Star Committee. The goal of this group was to raise money in order to build a memorial, honoring Trent and any other heroes from Norton who lose their lives in future conflicts.

Several fundraisers allowed the committee to reach its lofty goal of $75,000 in time for the dedication of the memorial. Local businesses that were able to make the the fundraisers successful include Alberto's, Swirling Vine, Roche Bros, North Easton Savings Bank and Bertucci's, each playing a different part in the process of raising money. The memorial was officially dedicated May 27, 2013.

Raising such a large amount of money in a short amount of time certainly wasn't a cakewalk. Donna Ross, treasurer of the Gold Star Committee, mentioned the most difficult part of the fund-raising was, “Getting the word out. Difficulties in communication, I think, was the hardest part of the process. Word of mouth proved invaluable.”

You can see the completed memorial today next to CVS Pharmacy on West Main Street.