Save the Cheerleader, Save the World

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Before you start frothing at the mouth, all you self-declared guardians of all that's pure, it's a quote from Heroes (Tagline Season 1...But I digress.)

Why cheerleaders are the centre of a moral debate, is beyond me -- besides the obvious that is, the usual chest-beating, vote-banking, playing on insecurities and other nonsense the country has come to expect and take in its stride...and almost forget that there are real issues out there.

Is there nothing better to talk about in this whole cricket revolution? Apart from entertainment vs sport. Vs masala. Vs girls in short skirts.

I mean, are they immoral? Are they taking part in something immoral? I don't even want to get started on all that's wrong with the comparison to bar girls... there's no winning arguments with the irrational. Why are the players in this debate getting it all in a twist over this of all things?

Have they even been watching your Bollywood stars of late? Gyrating away in skimpy nothings, and this isn't just the movies, but the shows, on TV... it's everywhere... we're encouraging kids to emulate them too, after all. It's nothing new at all. But oh it's fine, they're good desi girls, and they won't kiss, or shock-horror give the impression of being anything but virginal, so they're not the issue. Is that it?

Do I even like cheerleaders? Not particularly - but that's not even the point. They're out there doing what cheerleaders do - entertaining you, the audience, getting that ra-ra spirit going for the boys out there on the field or pitch or what-have-you, boosting morale and so on.

Really in this debate, the side you're coming on, it really shows what you're bringing to the table... what's in your own head.

Do cheerleaders know they're attractive - hell, yeah! Forget real games abroad, anyone who's seen anything of Hollywood, from teen dramas to soaps or yeah, Heroes... you know it's all tied up with popularity, being on display, being attractive, and well yes, agile. Are they there to titillate - well that's an open debate.

But what they're NOT there to do, and for that my heart does go out to all these phirang ladies in short tops and skirts, they're not there to put up with what we're calling "lewd comments"... another massive and insulting understatement, much like "eve-teasing".

You know what it is, if you've ever walked the streets of Delhi, or any of a half-dozen big cities in this country, if you've ever taken public transport, if you've ever had the temerity to go to a club without a male escort (and even then sometimes), hell if you've ever looked like a girl in this country.

You know the shame, the flame of red shooting up your face when you understand what they're saying, that it somehow seems a reflection on you, even when it's not - rationally, you know that.

Rationally you know, you have to pick your battles, but realistically, it's not often that you win.

You know you're beaten, when as a chick you walk eyes downcast, trying to avoid all kinds of eye contact. You know it's out there, this haze of sexual repression and serious threat to your physical well-being, but if you don't look, you won't see it. That's if you're lucky.

So it's not really about just saving the cheerleaders, you know, I mean at the end of the day, they're going to pack up and go home.

I think if anything, we should be addressing that mass of frustration and sexual repression that pervades everything that has to do with public space. Re-education even - of course when authorities are not even comfortable getting young people sensitised through sex education programmes, this is going to be a stretch...

But at least don't confuse the issue - the real issue, that is, not whether cheer-leading is anathema to the Indian spirit.

It's called sexual harassment and it's not ok.