Save the Song Girls

[jethreauxdawg]

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/the-di...girls-reportedly-toxic-culture-234927578.html
This is going too far! Now the shaved head female (guessing, not assuming) journalists, are going after the USC Song Girls, the picture perfect cheerleaders in the scarlet skirts and perfectly filled cream sweaters. According to this writer, the crime the former director is guilty of: telling the girls to look pretty at all times and maintain their weight. I say give the woman a medal. Maybe IMPP can weigh in on this topic.

 

[Mobile Bay]

When I hear about stuff like this all I hear is a bunch of weak whiny *** people who have been pampered their whole lives that can't handle reality.

 

[Maroon Eagle]

In all seriousness, eating disorders are no joke. Considering that a lot of people gained and lost weight during this pandemic, I'm surprised there haven't been more articles like this one appearing.

 

[Dawgg]

When I hear about stuff like this all I hear is a bunch of weak whiny *** people who have been pampered their whole lives that can't handle reality.

Is that any different than the weak whiny *** people that complain here about (checks notes) college girls not developing an eating disorder?

 

[johnson86-1]

In all seriousness, eating disorders are no joke. Considering that a lot of people gained and lost weight during this pandemic, I'm surprised there haven't been more articles like this one appearing.

Eating disorders are serious, but these are people that go out of their way to try to be part of a group where looks, and more specifically body types, are a big part of the selection process. They were attracted to being in the group because of the status that comes from being part of the group, which comes from the members of the group being above average attractiveness, and now that they are expected to maintain the image that they wanted to be a part of, it's driving them to mental illness.

I'm sure there are sponsors or managers or whatever they call the people in charge that maintain the group image in more and less crazy and more and less damaging ways, but it's really not the sponsors. If you want to be a part of a group of girls/women that obtain their status primarily because of their attractiveness, then for all except a very few genetically blessed individuals, it's going to take work to stay at that level of fitness, and if your mental health is tied to being that attractive, you are going to have a tough time. There are plenty of girls that are still plenty attractive that haven't tied their self worth to being in a group like that and have great lives.

 

[Maroon Eagle]

Agreed for the most part but when you're talking about a university organization, the sponsor or coach in this case plays a crucial role. She resigned after the Title IX investigation began last year.
From the LA Times article mentioned in the Yahoo story:

No coach was more deeply entrenched on USC’s campus than Nelson, a former Song Girl herself who took over for the team’s founder, Lindley Bothwell, more than three decades ago. Nelson and Bothwell, who died in 1986, were the only two coaches to lead the iconic program until 2020, their influence solidifying during half a century at the helm.

Nelson had no formal choreography training, and 10 sources told The Times she rarely offered technical critiques and instead focused on maintaining the Song Girls’ sparkling image.

Link.

 

[Hump4Hoops]

Okay, but this sentence really makes you sound like a creep.

..the picture perfect cheerleaders in the scarlet skirts and perfectly filled cream sweaters.

.

 

[Junction John]

Jesus. It's a sad world when a guy can't even comment on a sports board that female cheerleaders are hot.

We are headed down a slippery slope that only ends in disaster... I mean, I will riot and loot Dawgstudent's mancave myself if one of y'all tries to cancel IMPP.

 

[DoggieDaddy13]

I confess, I was a little turned on by the turn of phrase.
I did three Hail Marys already. Thanks, Hump4.

 

[jethreauxdawg]

Maybe so

But I’ll take that over being dishonest with no sense of humor

 

[paindonthurt_]

Cant wait until drill sergeants and trainers in the military are blamed for similar type ****. Can't be demanding our soldiers be mentally and physically fit. It might hurt their feelings!

 

[CochiseCowbell]

I have a friend who just retired from that role and the Army. They've already started softening the language they are allowed to use and how tough they can be on them.

 

[Junction John]

I'm not downvoting you, I'm downvoting the pussification of America.

(Just didn't want you to get your feelings hurt**)

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

Not really but whatever floats your boat....

 

[Mobile Bay]

They have done that several times over the decades.

 

[mstateglfr]

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/the-di...girls-reportedly-toxic-culture-234927578.html
This is going too far! Now the shaved head female (guessing, not assuming) journalists, are going after the USC Song Girls, the picture perfect cheerleaders in the scarlet skirts and perfectly filled cream sweaters. According to this writer, the crime the former director is guilty of: telling the girls to look pretty at all times and maintain their weight. I say give the woman a medal. Maybe IMPP can weigh in on this topic.

1- The initial story was written by a guy at the LA Times. The shaved head female for Yahoo is then adding commentary to the initial story. A guy writing the investigative story doesnt fit your narrative so I get why you dont mention him.

2- Your SPS nickname checks out.

3- You really glaze over the crime of the former director with that summary. Thats a significantly softer interpretation of reality. Young women dont go into counseling my the dozen if all they are told is 'look pretty at all times and maintain their weight'. The issue is how that message is delivered. It can be delivered with kindness and support or it can be delivered with passive aggressive condescension and veiled threats.
Those with power in life need to continually check to make sure they are responsibly utilizing that influence.


This isnt just telling them to look pretty and maintain weight.
[FONT=&quot]"[/FONT][FONT=&quot]At a practice where Bullen opened up a discussion about body image problems among members and in front of the team [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Nelson accused Robakowski of lying to her to sleep with a male student during a team trip. Robakowski maintains it wasn't true, and after tearfully confronting Nelson their relationship went south. Nelson allegedly told Robakowski's friends to cut her out of their lives."

[/FONT]
Activities where appearance is 2/3 of the reason why someone participates will always have problems like this. Its an inherent issue since appearance is so important. Those in power must work to ensure as positive an environment as possible exists.
Its almost as if this sort of antiquated tradition has run its course. I for sure wont complain if it continues, but I wont be surprised when I read that various institutions de-emphasize all female dance/spirit squads.

 

[paindonthurt_]

I mean is that an actual crime or just an alleged ****** thing to do?

And the girls had choices. You don’t like the rules of this club that really has no bearing on your life other than connections? Ok quit. Join another club. Utilize your free time for studying, joining other clubs, working on your appearance, whatever you want.