As a teenager, fitting in isn’t always easy, and it can be hard to make friends that share your values and ideas without backlash or bullying from peers. If you don’t agree with the basic, trendy concepts, then you’re the “weird kid” or “cringe.” Do Doherty students get bullied for their ways of self-expression? How do they cope with the stares and graceless comments from your trendy, everyday teens?
What is “alt”?
Let’s start with the question, who is an alternative person? What are they like?
Alternative, or “Alt” is sort-of an umbrella term for anything that isn’t mainstream or common, and this may include fashion styles, political views, or even music taste.
Alternative people oftentimes support small artists and business rather than large corporations to stray from mainstream things, waste, and overconsumption. They are commonly into DIYing clothes and jewelry as a way to express themselves and drift away from “the norm.”
Music taste is also a big part of many alt sub-cultures, such as goth music, which emerged in the UK in the 1970’s and includes bands such as The Cure and The Sisters of Mercy. Other alt music may include genres that are not so popular with mainstream music. Alt genres may include hyperpop, emo, punk, and rock.
Alternative fashion may be the most popular way to show self-expression. Alt styles might include emo, goth, J-fashion, and punk, which all have their own substyles. However, some alternative people may not have a specific style to name and are just dressing like themselves. Extravagant makeup looks and accessories are also popular within the alternative community.
Alt at Doherty
Doherty High School has a handful of alternative students, and they stand out more than the rest of the students. Are they viewed as lesser than their peers, or do people look up to them? Is it hard to fit in as any student in general?
Junior Phoenix Patterson says that “people for sure treat us differently than others, and it’s hard to express yourself.” “I’ve been barked at,” she adds. Since it is harder to be yourself, many people may face bullying or stop expressing themselves out of fear.
Junior AJ Tyree says, “It happens very often, especially from middle schoolers. It is frustrating because people don’t know how to mind their own business.” Which is a common occurrence alt people face because lots of people are, for some reason, worried so much about how other people dress. “I was wearing a tail keychain,” AJ adds. “A kid ran past me and ripped it off. I was sad because I’ve had it since I was ten or 11.” He reveals that the keychain was later found in a trash can.
Alt people are bullied in school and by their peers, but for many people, this does not stop them from expressing themselves and finding their own group of people who they fit in with and feel safe with.
Bullying from peers can affect any students’ self-esteem and happiness, no matter who they are.
No students should face bullying, if you are feeling bullied or threatened, here is a link to a Safe2Tell tip form for Colorado. https://www.p3campus.com/tipform.aspx?ID=789
