Letter | "Field Day brings people together."

September 22, 2017

A reader and a Blue & Gold staff member respond to our Sept. 21 opinion article, “I hate Field Day.”

To the Editor:

Re I hate Field Day (opinion article, Sept. 21):

Renon Barlow (’18) whirls a sponge in the air. *Photo: Charlotte Lee/The Blue & Gold*

I love Field Day.
Some people consider Field Day incredibly pointless–and true, I admit that I sometimes think about how arbitrary it is to feel loyalty to a group of 200 people just because they happen to be the same age as you. Yet, when that Friday in late September rolls around again, I see those 200 people go berserk as one, watching a little yellow scooter roll across the gym; I watch makeshift flags flutter proudly to thumping drumbeats, and I remember the magic of Field Day.
Field Day brings people together in a way that few other events can. On this day, I go up to complete strangers, bearing a pen in hand to paint slightly immature Chinese slogans on their arms. On this day, I scream my heart out with people whom I would never even talk to normally. Yes, I know that some people in my class hate Field Day because they do not feel a part of the festivities, because they feel left out of the camaraderie. To these people, though, I ask that you try. Stand up with your class when the pounding of the drum signals a cheer; let your friends decorate your face with black stripes; cheer when you win a game. If you try, you may find that on this one day, cliques and friend groups disappear–because the camaraderie of Field Day is for everyone.
Julian Lee (’18)
Senior Class President
Opinions/Verdict Editor

To the Editor:

Isabelle Chiao (’19) and Happy Moo (’19) wave flags at the entrance to D Block. *Photo: Shereen Lee/The Blue & Gold*

For me, Field Day is a nice break from normal school activity. It promotes bonding, while being a good activity in preparation for Spirit Week. A good time to have some mindless fun. I understand part of the negativity towards it: some people just aren’t socially active or don’t have the ability to ‘free’ their mind and let loose.
When someone feels the anger of losing, they don’t turn to those who tried, they turn to those who neglected to. Contrary to your belief, you are more likely to be forgiven, if not congratulated, on your attempts to help and participate.
Following that, I do believe that the notion that Spirit Week and Field Day are exclusive to the “popular” is true. People who are more active and social can get more out of Field Day, surrounded by a wide circle of friends.
But simply letting go of shame and embarrassment for a simple day would allow the socially awkward or shy to express themselves and, in turn, be ‘accepted’ as part of the bigger, class community. So yes, in a sense, Field Day and Spirit Week are “only for the popular”, since those who shout louder and participate more are, in some sense, venerated for their passion.
Logan Chen (‘19)