On Thursday night, the senior superlatives nominations list was posted. Minutes later, outrage erupted in the WHS Seniors Facebook group about the different superlatives that were missing. One superlative in the past has been used, just for girls, as a euphemism for school slut.

Yearbook editors did not include the superlative this year, while some classmates were adamant about adding it.

There is a clear double standard between genders when one is accused of having multiple partners. When a guy gets around, he is called a player, or at worst, he is jokingly called a man-whore. His behavior is excused or even lauded, while when a girl is called a slut, she becomes someone who is looked down upon or a joke.

As Allison Reynolds in “The Breakfast Club” says: “Well, if you say you haven’t, you’re a prude. If you say you have, you’re a slut. It’s a trap.”

Here’s an idea: A person’s sex life is his or her own choice. With whom a woman chooses to have sexual relations does not affect any of her peers. If you were to look around a room, you couldn’t tell the difference between someone who has sex and someone who doesn’t. This is because a person’s sexual activity is in no way reflected in his or her appearance, clothing or personality.

A girl’s body is hers and hers alone, and that means her rules. She can do whatever she wants with it and does not deserve to be judged and labeled.

And girls, let’s be honest here. We’ve all called someone a slut before, and it needs to stop. Take a page from our mutual favorite movie: “Mean Girls.” “You all have got to stop calling each other sluts and whores. It just makes it okay for guys to call you sluts and whores.”

Calling someone a slut doesn’t make you better. In fact, using “slut” and “whore” as derogatory terms will impede our advancement in society. You’re not just bringing that person down, you’re bringing down all women.

It is shocking that there were people in support of this superlative, especially girls. Why is voting on and sticking the label “slut” onto someone so enjoyable for some people?

This topic shouldn’t be up for debate. Someone should have spoken out against the superlative in the Facebook group. Staying silent while misogynist comments are being made is just as bad as making those comments. Having said that, we applaud anyone who spoke out against the superlative and urge them to continue. Speak out against slut shaming, so people know that it’s not okay. You can’t call yourself a “feminist” or for “the equality of the sexes” if you aren’t active in promoting that equality. You need to be active in the fight, not a bystander.

Next time you see slut-shaming in action, speak out.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This opinion piece was written after the decision was made by the yearbook staff to remove the superlative from this year’s yearbook.

Opinion articles written by staff members represent their personal views. The opinions expressed do not necessarily represent WSPN as a publication.