University Of Washington Has A Do's And Don't's List For Cheerleader Tryouts, And It's Going Over Predictably Poor

And here's what's wrong with America. University of Washington publishes do's/dont's list for cheerleader tryouts. pic.twitter.com/0nngE22pGL

— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) April 28, 2016

Thanks UW for setting women back 100 years! Cheerleader appearance 'advice' sparks backlash at U. of Washington https://t.co/ExpwezE8Oc

— Dani-K (@KdanielsK) April 27, 2016

Oh and don't forget to be white! Like that wasn't implied. Disgusting UW decision on cheerleader qualifications https://t.co/5IXWvp3NbI

— cheryl (@ehcsztin) April 27, 2016

Like treatment equal 2 a piece of meat ladies? Go to the University of Washington! @UniversityofWA https://t.co/XDQPA63wzH via @seattletimes

— Jennifer D Larsen (@GoGoGreenMonkey) April 27, 2016

You know what University Of Washington's biggest mistake was? Publishing this. Not because any of it is untrue, but because it was basically an invitation for uptight lunatics to act like it undid women's suffrage, reinforced racial stereotypes, and is responsible for the downfall of society as we know it. I don't even know if there was a way to truly circulate this in 2016 without someone making sure it reached the internet, but the fact that it did is my biggest criticism of UW Cheerleading program. The list itself? Seems pretty fair to me. Maybe they shouldn't have used an anorexic white girl that looks like she about to dry heave because he hasn't eaten in 3 days as the visual, but I think it sends a brutally honest message - it ain't always dandy to be the eye candy. 

Here's the thing, body shaming is going to happen in cheerleading. If we want the "sport" to be "played" at it's highest level then it's going to require girls that fit a standard of beauty that 'Dove' commercials don't want you to know about. Better to hurt some feelings virally than have a bunch of overweight girls in loose fitting t-shirts with visible tattoos show up to get ridiculed in front of a crowd. Body shaming is to cheerleading what concussions are to football. Unfortunately they are part of the game. We can do our best to cut down on it, but at the end of the day it's a risk you have to take if you want to participate. If that's "what's wrong with America" then it's what's always been wrong with America because there has never been a demand for uglier, heftier cheerleaders with more clothing. Is that superficial? Yes. Is it shallow? Of course. These girls didn't sign up to cure the world of it's injustices. There's no depth required when all you're trying to do is dance around half naked on the sidelines in front of a bunch of drunken coeds at college sporting events. God forbid University of Washington was nice enough to release an outline beforehand so that the girls knew how to do so most efficiently. 


h/t Uproxx