All Fun and Games Until Someone Gets Harassed

The infamous Kiss Cam, it’s the entertainment we Americans love so much, in which we force two people, who might not have a relationship, to kiss on camera in front of a full football stadium.

But this isn’t the Kiss Cam I am going to talk about.

The Highland Kiss Cam – it is just a white board with “Kiss Cam” written on it — is a favorite at the football games. Students can “nominate” anyone by tweeting “#HHSKISSCAM”. For many, this is innocent teenage fun, but for some, it may be embarrassing and feel like harassment.  But is it?

The official definition of sexual harassment is, “Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.” The Kiss Cam could be verbal and physical conduct of sexual nature, it all depends on how the people feel.  Principal Paul Schulte says “You are in a position where you have a large group of people, the camera is being point at you, you feel pressured to kiss someone that you don’t want to, so that’s harassment”. No one’s intention is to bully or harass another student, but are we doing so inadvertently when we do the Kiss Cam?  Let’s face the facts: two names on a white board and a whole crowd to please.  On the white board is says “Kiss Cam (optional)” suggesting that they are not forcing one person to kiss someone else. But with such pressure, it is very hard not to go through with the kiss.

Senior Max Wilson is the “leader” of the Kiss Cam.

“I can see how people could argue that it is sexual harassment, but I personally do not feel it is sexual harassment”, he said, “It is not forced upon them, they have the choice to kiss them and if they don’t choose to, I am not going to force anyone to do so”.  There is no doubt that Wilson doesn’t intend to harass anyone. Although the Kiss Cam is an optional thing, not a demand for entertainment, it only takes one student who feels uncomfortable for this activity to be harassment. But how do people on the Kiss Cam feel? Senior Sarah Wilcox chose not to participate in the Kiss Cam. She says “I think that if people want to do it, they will do it, and if they don’t do it, like I did, they don’t have to do it. People will be chanting, but when you say no, they will stop.”  She didn’t feel bullied into doing anything, but some might feel differently, making the Kiss Cam sexual harassment.

Harassment comes in many shapes and sizes.  No one thinks of the Kiss Cam when harassment issues are brought up.  Everyone thinks of involuntary physical contact, or aggressive behavior, and while one’s nomination to the Kiss Cam is not voluntary, going through with the actions is.

I personally have no problem with the Kiss Cam. I think it is exciting, awkward, and funny. When I first started writing this article I thought I would write a very convincing piece on how the Kiss Cam was just innocent fun. But I’ve since realized that my enjoyment might come at the expense of someone else’s uncomfortable situation. Although I did not find anyone willing to admit that the Kiss Cam made them feel humiliated, it is not uncommon with sexual harassment issues. Often victims of sexual harassment are reluctant to come forth and express their feelings. This could be out of fear or embarrassment.

Is the Kiss Cam more innocent fun or harassment? Is there a way we can make sure we don’t put anyone in an uncomfortable situation? One possible solution would be for anyone who does not want to be on the Kiss Cam to give their name to the people in charge. Or to simply find a new game.

The honest fun of the Kiss Cam is in the eye of the beholder. For some people it is one of the exciting moments of the game, but for others it may ruins the experience of what should be an entertaining football game. I agree with both points of view, but if there is even one student who feels harassed, something has to change.