Similar rumors went around my area's high schools when I was growing up. The word was that gang members - this is in the whitest suburb of the whitest state in the country, mind you - were waiting under the cars of cheerleaders who were at football games, then using knives to cut their Achilles tendons and rape them as part of their initiation.
My sister was a cheerleader at the time and they took this shit seriously. For a few weeks, they had police escorts before all the games. Of course, nothing ever happened.
We also believed that a girl really had baked herself to death in a tanning bed.
Why is it that the people who live in the most fear of gang violence live in areas of the country with very little gang penetration? Do the streets of Peoria really run red with the blood of the Crips?
@rocknrollunicorn: Yes. This. And I love how these legends assume the cops are going to tell you about these violent things but not try to do anything to stop them. Look, cops aren't perfect, but if they have a reliable tip about a planned crime, they aren't just going to sit there and wring their hands, saying, "Oh no! If only we had guns or something!
Wow. I remember being in high school and hearing about a rumor that gangs will kill a cheerleader as part of their initiation. I remember our high school was in a tizzy when our football team was going for a game in a nearby town -- in po-dunk Pennsylvania! I think these urban myths are a way to feel excited about life when you're a bored teenager.
@artdecoco: You've brought back the memory of my high school and Black Rose Bomber. This dude was purported to be sending black roses to his unrequited loves. And then he planned to blow up the school at 10a.m. on Dec 19th 19whatever. The fact that school was very much in-session per usual did nothing to dissuade our giggly anxiety. Or even make us think, "Hey, wait a minute.."
@artdecoco: We fell for that one, too. Early 90s, right? Yeah, we were in Bountiful, Utah - a place that is just CRAWLING with gang activity. Of the LDS missionary sort, that is.
Our parents also got fliers regularly warning them about drug dealers who pushed acid on kids at elementary schools using Mickey Mouse stickers. Evidently, people thought that if something happened in a big city it would definitely happen to little ole suburban us, too.
This is wrong. Actually, the garden gnomes in the lawn and garden section will be coming alive tonight to kidnap and do depraved gnomey things to your children. Trust.
I live in Ohio, and I heard about this yesterday...people are getting the text here too. I immediately thought it was a hoax, until my fiance pointed out that if someone was really going to do that, they'd be more successful if they made everyone THINK it was a hoax.
Apparently I have no friends who care whether I live or die at the hands of gang members. I live in Texas and there have been NO warnings sent to me. I haz a sad. Maybe there is an age limit that I am unaware of? Is 40 the cut off?
In other news, there's deadly rat pee on your can of diet coke, HIV-infected needles in pay phone coin returns, and if you're not careful, the person you're having a one-night-stand with will carve his or her name into your arm when you fall asleep.
And in related news, New York, New Jersey, Vermont, Virginia, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and South Carolina are all giggling to themselves that those other states are SO gullible! (Hehheheh)
@AthertonMerriweather: You totally didn't tell me you were bringing extra candy. We're supposed to just find it under your throw pillows and such. THIS IS NOT HOW THE MEETINGS ARE SUPPOSED TO GO. Please don't mess with my format. You haven't seen bossy until you've seen the wrath I will heap down upon you.
After over a decade of national prominence and integration into daily life, I never cease to be surprised by how few people know how to use a search engine to debunk bullshit rumors.
@morninggloria: I still prefer the old fashioned way of doing things, so I go out and pray to the great debunking tree in my yard, making sure to bury something shiny by it's sturdy roots as an offering. It works every time!
@morninggloria: I know, I'm surprised my grandma hasn't sent me this yet. I thought she had the lockdown on untrue internet rumors. The most awesome thing is they now feature a sentence at the top that says 'I found this on Snopes'. It's like she didn't read the part about it not being true....sigh.
03/20/09
My sister was a cheerleader at the time and they took this shit seriously. For a few weeks, they had police escorts before all the games. Of course, nothing ever happened.
We also believed that a girl really had baked herself to death in a tanning bed.
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Watch your local news. If there is some kind of crime trend in your city or town, they will likely tell you.
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Our parents also got fliers regularly warning them about drug dealers who pushed acid on kids at elementary schools using Mickey Mouse stickers. Evidently, people thought that if something happened in a big city it would definitely happen to little ole suburban us, too.
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But I still thought it was fake.
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Gang: Oh yea we're gonna kill you old lady
Old Lady: Pointdexter, is that you!!!
Pointdexter: Ahh, c'mon Auntie, it's Dexter, DEXTER
Old Lady: Just WAIT until I tell your gramma
Pointdexter: Ahh, maaaaaaan
03/20/09
But I guess some women are not as savvy as we thought them to be.
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thanks, claudia, but you know i'm diabetic!
love,
Stacey
03/20/09
Peace,
Dawn
03/20/09
hugs,
Maryann
03/20/09
TOTES GOT SUGA FREE 4 U STACE!
03/20/09
UR REALLY DITCHIN 2 HAZ SEX W LOGAN!
03/20/09
You totally didn't tell me you were bringing extra candy. We're supposed to just find it under your throw pillows and such. THIS IS NOT HOW THE MEETINGS ARE SUPPOSED TO GO. Please don't mess with my format. You haven't seen bossy until you've seen the wrath I will heap down upon you.
Kisses,
Kristy
03/20/09
I actually hate all you bitches. How'd I get roped into being an alternate member?
xo,
Shannon
03/20/09
later,
Sam
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I learn all kinds of stuff online everyday...but really do people not hear things that are a bit strange and google them?
I do...