"Please Stop" Should Not Have To Be Said More Than Once
Start writing a post
Sports

"Please Stop" Should Not Have To Be Said More Than Once

A lesson in consent and the right to bodily autonomy

121
"Please Stop" Should Not Have To Be Said More Than Once
WPXI

I don't lose sleep over a lot of things.

Normally, I can hear or see something, internalize it for a while, then take it out of my head, put it in a box, put it on a shelf, then go to sleep soundly at the end of the night. As a society, we've come to normalize a lot of very scary things, so I try not to internalize it for so long that it takes over my life.

However, this has caused me actual emotional pain.

If you've been living under a rock for the past week, I'll refresh you: A 13-year-old child from Denver, Colorado was forced into doing elevated splits back in June on the first day of cheer camp. This child, Ally Wakefield, was forced into splits by the newly hired coach, and the damage from the incident is far more than just physical: she had to beg for her coach and her teammates to let her go, none of which actually did.

If you haven't seen the video, brace yourself because it's disturbing to watch.

This child had to be forced down and restrained in order to perform the way her coach wanted her to perform, and even then it wasn't enough.

What's more remarkable (and in the worst definition that word can hold) are the comments on various posts saying, "This is normal for cheerleading" and "If she can't do splits, she needs to pick a different sport." These comments are not only degrading to the girl who was assaulted on camera but it is insulting to other women who have faced similar experiences because a) while it is common that a cheerleader should be able to do splits, it is not a requirement, and b) if you're going to say this about a girl who was forced into doing elevated splits, do you say similar things about women who are sexually or physically assaulted?

This young girl, and yes, she is a girl, said - no, screamed, nine times for these people to stop. Consent can be taken away just as easily as it can be given. We teach our young children that when you feel unsafe around someone, you scream "no!" and "stop!" and they are supposed to stop, and if someone says the same to you, you stop. There is no continuing after someone has revoked your right to touch them.

We teach them that their bodies have value and if someone is making them unsafe, they have the right to revoke someone's access to their body and to prevent bodily harm. We also teach our children to obey authority, even to the point of blind loyalty and obeying without asking questions. We trust the adults around them, especially in a school environment, to keep our children out of harm's way. But when the people making them feel unsafe are the very same people who are supposed to keep them safe? Where is the line drawn?

The definition of consent, according to Dictionary.com, is, "permission for something to happen or agreement to do something." There is a line - a very broad, red line - in every situation in which someone does not cross if someone says "no" and "stop." Wakefield's coach, her teammates, the principal, and the athletic director have crossed this line, have severely let her down, and have allowed for the continual violation of not only her bodily autonomy and right to consent, but her right to feel safe within a school environment.

We need to stop blurring the line. This girl should not have had to beg for her body to be released nine times from the grip of her teammates.

All this pain for her to be able to do the splits.

What has our world come to?

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned.

71359
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

133449
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments