ENTERTAINMENT: TV REVIEW

If You Really Knew Me

Reviewed by Kimberly, age 19, California
Sweet Designs Staff Intern
Sweet Designs Featured Writer

As every person who has been in high school knows, there are major cliques in high school - and labels. Whether or not you are (or were) considered a jock, cheerleader, nerd, emo, or loner, everyone has a label in high school. A new show on MTV, If You Really Knew Me, looks at these labels, visiting different high schools in the United States with a program called Challenge Day to try to break through the barriers. Each episode goes to a different high school that has issues with gossiping, sex, drugs, bullying, etc. Challenge Day is "a one day program that breaks down the walls between cliques and completely changes the way students view their high school and each other." (mtv.com)

Only a couple of episodes into the first season (as I am writing this article), it is one of the most amazing shows I have seen in a long time. To be able to see the amazing transformation in these students in an hour long episode is something truly inspiring. This is real, not scripted; they're not acting.

If You Really Knew Me is the type of show that feels really real, and hearing some of the amazing stories makes you want to cry. The show asks the question whether it is possible to change your life and maybe even your high school in one day with the help of Challenge Day. The show then tries to find the answer. I know that for me watching the first couple episodes I saw students actually seeing their fellow students in a different way. There is one point when they get in small groups and start off with the phrase "if you really knew me, you would know ..." This sets off a whirlwind of emotion because it is the students' chance to really open up and express something about themselves and what is going on in their lives.

Watching If You Really Knew Me truly can open one's eyes about how you don't really know what a person is going through till you get to know them. The show's message supports the saying that "you shouldn't judge a person by how they look", but instead get to know them. Someone with the title "popular" might have something going on inside that not even their best friend knows about. The emotion can be felt right through the TV set; these students' stories are truly amazing. For me, it makes me look twice at how I might say something bad or joke about a certain race or person because they are different, without really knowing the whole story.

If You Really Knew Me is a show that I would HIGHLY recommend, especially if you're in high school. It's truly a chance to open up your mind and heart, and maybe even be that person who can start a change at your high school.

Until next time,
XOXO
Kimberly

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