Hollywood lies about Homecoming

Ruhi Kaneria | The Chronicle

Hollywood – stop lying. Movies, shows, and mainstream media as a whole have always portrayed Homecoming, and other school dances, as the pinnacle of one’s high school career. In Taylor Swift’s song “You Belong With Me”, she gets the best dress, her dream man and the spotlight of attention, all on the night of the dance. In the movie “10 Things I Hate About You,” attendance at the school dance is linked to the characters’ relevance in the school’s social circle. But why does the Homecoming experience on the big screen never transfer over to reality? There are two major issues with the way that Homecoming is portrayed in Hollywood. The action on the big screen makes Homecoming, and other school dances, seem like events that can make or break your high school experience — which is untrue. It also depicts a very narrow representation of the students who attend.

While my previous two Homecoming dances at Mason have been extremely enjoyable, I feel like there is pressure to ensure everyone’s Homecoming experience is perfect. The truth is that Homecoming isn’t always perfect, and that is ok.

Another issue is that Hollywood perceives Homecoming in a very narrow spotlight. They only focus on the star football player, the leading cheerleader, and the overlooked quiet girl. But in reality, Homecoming is for all. Hollywood generally doesn’t allow for much action toward breaking down the social hierarchy. Take the movie “High School Musical” and its famous quote, “Stick to the status quo.” This mindset makes people feel as though change is unwelcome.

When the media only shows a certain interpretation of Homecoming, it makes the not-portrayed population feel unwanted at Homecoming. But that is far from the truth. A great example of breaking down this stigma is done in the movie “Mean Girls.” The main character, Cady, has first-hand experience with the pressure many people feel at a dance, or even in fitting in at school. However, by breaking and distributing her Homecoming Queen crown and highlighting the beauty and successes of her peers, she turns her school’s social hierarchy on its head. She makes everyone feel included — even if they aren’t the stereotypical group of popular students.

At Mason, Homecoming and other school events are for all students, regardless of whatever Hollywood tries to construe. I believe that everyone should feel welcome to attend. Here, school dances are for those who moved to Mason last week and those who speak English as a second language. Everyone deserves to feel welcomed at school dances, and by not believing Hollywood’s false display of Homecoming, Mason High School can make sure our Homecoming dance becomes one of the many experiences that students enjoy in high school.