“If only you knew how mean she really is, you’d know that I’m not allowed to wear hoop earrings, right? Yeah, two years ago, she told me hoops earrings were her thing, and I wasn’t allowed to wear them anymore. And then for Hanukkah my parents got this pair of expensive white gold hoops and I had to pretend like I didn’t even like them. It was so sad.”
This is one of many infamous quotes from the movie;, I’m sure you already know, “Mean Girls”. In this quote, Gretchen Wieners, recalls a time when the notorious Regina George ruined her Christmas all because she basically had the power too. Gretchen describes the painful event to Katy, and then tells her how still preceded to befriend Regina although her feelings were extremely hurt.
That scene for a lot of girls watching was extremely emotional. So many girls realized at that moment they were Gretchen Wieners’. That they were victims of real life Regina George’s. Friendships can be confusing and sometimes we don’t know how to handle or even identify abuse, and manipulation in relationships especially those we hold the dearest. Scared their reaction to our pain could be more damaging theen their actions towards us and this is not what the foundation of healthy relationships should be.
Gretchen never express to Regina the countless times she hurt her feelings or made her feel worthless, she just continued to put on a fake smile and hold everything in. Gretchen didn’t want to upset Regina and be forced to be an outsider, so she took the abuse. She allowed another human being to dictate her life all because she was afraid stand up for herself. She would rather be belittled then be an outsider.
This movie may have been set in high school but it spills over perfectly in college life. Making friends in college can be extremely difficult and nerve racking. It seems as if when you find a group of friends that you seemly get along with and can make the transition to being on our own easier you hold on to them tighter no matter the cost. In college, a confident, demanding and manipulating group leader can emerge easily among a pack of scared, pervasive, and naïve girls.
You must ask yourself why would anyone do that? Why would anyone allow themselves to be mistreated? There are so many of us that don’t stand up for ourselves. We sit back allow someone to mistreat us because of the promise of friendship, and the perceived benefits that comes along with it. But that is no longer the case. It’s time for us to speak up for ourselves and demand our respect. To no longer be the timid mouse in the corner who takes the hurtful behavior. We tend to accept the pain because we crave friendship, love, and acceptance. The price of our self-respect can no longer be bought or manipulated.
So, the next time you find yourself brushing off perhaps a hurtful comment, or maybe even backhanded joke don’t stand for it. Demand that you be respected and treated with such. You deserve it.