The movie, “The Breakfast Club,” which was released in 1985, revolves around five high school students spending a Saturday in detention. One might think that a movie from over thirty years ago has become outdated by now.
Each character is introduced by their label: the “princess,” the “brain,” the “athlete,” the “basketcase” and the “criminal.” The problem with labeling each other is that it hinders us from actually getting to know one another. This theme seems to be an inevitable part of high school and of life, both in 1985 and now. Can you even begin to comprehend how many amazing people you failed to meet because you never gave them the chance? How many people have failed to see you for all that you are? It seems like we all want to know each other’s business, but at the same time we want to keep our own business private. Also, while we all want to belong, even if it means sacrificing who we are for it, and even though we know how it feels to be on the outside, we still exclude others. Does it really take "detention" or some outside force to get us to realize it doesn't need to be this way?
Just like you shouldn’t just a book by its cover, or a
person by his or her label, maybe you shouldn’t judge a movie by its release
year.
1. You never know what someone is going through.
You better believe it.
2. There are all sorts of people in this world, and it's worth getting to know one another. We all have different strengths to contribute.
Some of us are good at school, some of us are good at making other people laugh, and some of us can even make spaghetti.
3. Sometimes we are often quick to say "you don't know me," and then just as quick to judge someone on their appearance.
Judging you for judging me.
4. You don't always learn lessons in school. Sometimes the best lessons we learn are from mistakes.
You just don't always realize it right away.
5. Sometimes you just have to say "eat my shorts" to people who don't matter in the grand scheme of life.
I couldn't have said it better myself.
6. We all feel the pressure to be accepted by our peers.
How much time would you save in a day if you spent less time worrying about what other people thought of you?
7. We are all running away from something.
If only running away from our problems burned calories.
8. There is no clear definition of "normal."
We are all bizarre in different ways, and we hide it in different ways. It's nice to know we have this in common.
9. There is a time to cry.
No matter how strong or weak you are, it's OK.
10. And there is a time to dance.
Especially awkward dancing.
11. There is never an inappropriate fist pump when life surprises you with a "fist pump-able moment."
"Yes! I finished reading an article without getting distracted by the Internet!" *Fist pump*
