Debate on school anniversary participation: Is it mandatory for Yin Jiao to participate in class activities?
In school life, school anniversary activities usually require the cooperation of all students to decorate the campus, set up booths, and prepare performances.
However, for those students who are usually more isolated and known as “yin corners”, whether it is necessary to participate in such collective activities has become a hot topic among Japanese netizens.
The dilemma of Yin Jiao: choosing not to participate in school anniversary preparations
A Japanese netizen nicknamed Nurumayu shared on X platform her experience of being scolded by a girl in her class for not participating in school anniversary preparations.
He explained that as a “outsider” in the class, he had no friends and was unwilling to participate in such collective activities. Therefore, choosing not to help prepare for the school anniversary event has caused dissatisfaction among classmates.
As a Yin Jiao, I don’t want to participate in this kind of activity at all. I’m sorry
Yamato’s speech quickly sparked a heated discussion, with the focus on whether the “hidden corners” have an obligation to participate in class collective activities. Many people support his belief that since he is not usually accepted by classmates, it is only natural not to participate in such collective activities.
Yangjiao’s response: Collective activities require the participation of all members
Meanwhile, another netizen, Remone, responded from the perspective of collective activities. She said that the school anniversary is an activity that requires the joint efforts of all classmates, whether it is the “yin corner” or the “yang corner”, everyone should participate and not use the excuse of “I am the yin corner” to evade responsibility.
This response immediately sparked dissatisfaction among a large number of Yin Jiao netizens. Many people believe that Yang Jiao does not consider Yin Jiao as a part of the community and only demands “everyone to participate together” when there is a shortage of manpower.
Regarding these comments, れもね subsequently expressed her apologies and explained that she was also a villain in the class, and only felt more pressure because she was selected as the person in charge of the school anniversary.
Yin Jiao’s voice: Not participating is for self-protection
Netizens who support Ichikawa have expressed their views one after another, many of whom believe that the shadow actors are often excluded in such activities, and whether they participate or not does not change their position in the class.
Anyway, if I participate, I will also be excluded
Some people even shared their experiences of being ignored and excluded during school anniversary activities, believing that not participating is to protect themselves from further harm.
A netizen said, “No one usually cares about the existence of the shadow corner. They only come to us to participate in events when there is a shortage of people. This kind of ‘disguised group’ makes people feel uncomfortable
Another netizen pointed out that even if they participate in activities, the shadow actors often feel lonely and not accepted, so it’s better to choose not to go.
The right to choose whether to participate or not
The debate over whether the Yin Jiao should participate in class activities actually reveals the conflict between group pressure and individual choices in school life. For Yin Jiao, the school anniversary event may not only be a collective activity, but also an experience of being forced to face isolation and pressure. Every student has different social habits and comfort zones, and there may not be a unified answer to whether collective activities must involve all members.
In such a situation, perhaps more important is how to provide respect and understanding for each student, without excessively forcing them to participate or excluding those who are unwilling to participate. The true meaning of school activities should be to create an inclusive and diverse environment, rather than forcing social gatherings.