As you may have observed already, there are many interesting messages written on the walls of our bathrooms, especially the girl’s bathrooms. Some messages can boost self-esteem, and there are others that don’t.
As girls or women, we can tend to be very connected at times and be helpful to one another. Of course, we never know what everyone is going through, but it’s nice to have a boost of self-esteem from our small talk with others. Sayings ranging from “I like your outfit” to “do you have a pad I can use?” are typically normal in girl’s bathrooms.
Even though this is what is said, it’s not what is written. As a female senior, I have entered the bathroom far too many times and I have read far too many comments on bathroom stalls. Let me just say, it’s not fun; from bad words in Spanish and English to inappropriate comments on female bodies and the way they are shaped.
This never makes a community safer or better, nor does it boost self-esteem. If women are so connected, why should these comments be used to disconnect?
We might not see the harm that this does to female students, but that’s because as humans we can’t read or know others’ thoughts. Despite this, there is always a way to make our bathrooms better.
Let’s make female bathrooms a space where females can feel empowered. Let’s make Mission High School different, starting from a place no one would start from, our bathrooms.
