Cheer has been a part of my life since I was in 6th grade. Throughout my years of cheering, my uniform has fluctuated. My coach from 6th-9th grade did not believe that uniforms were the most important thing when it came to cheer, which is true but for a bunch of 11-year-olds it was the end of the world. The inconsistent black bottoms and black top or white top and black bottoms were a constant thing when cheering. I always saw myself as a perfectionist so when I didn't have a consistent routine or uniform I deployed my love for cheer. I know it's silly to say that over a uniform but it meant more than that.      My coach now has given my team the opportunity of uniforms and because of that I now see why my previous coach didn't give us uniforms immediately. Many girls show unjust form in the uniform and while that might not always be the case it is very frequent. When many girls have a passion for cheer, girls that just want to do it for the show can ruin that.     My cheer uniform connects to my American identity because the stereotypical cheerleader is very present in American culture. However, I believe those stereotypes are harmful so I try my best not to conform to the harmful ones that characterize women and men negatively.  

– Lauren

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