From Thursday

From CBS2/FOX 28

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In the wake of a controversial list surfacing at West High School in Iowa City, students and staff have joined together in a show of solidarity against misogyny and sexism. The list, created by three male students at the school, contained 92 names of past and present female students, with a letter grade attached to each name ranking the females in terms of physical attractiveness (A being the most attractive, F being the least attractive, and then a category S, which students speculate means 'Superior'). When the Google spreadsheet of names and grades became public, the reaction from the West High community was swift and strong. Many students took to social media to voice their concerns, some critiques more explicit than others. Junior Lauren Upchurch was on the list, along with some of her friends. She said the list was hurtful to many girls who already battle insecurities, some related to their physical appearance. Lauren, who received a C, made a poster with five positive adjectives starting with C, as a way to "take back the power and reclaim the letter." After the list circulated on social media, social studies teacher Megan Johnson decided to organize a gathering for students who wanted to talk about the list and do something proactive to empower women. "I don't know if it's like a rite of passage for high school boys to rank young women, but it's not acceptable," Ms. Johnson said. "Boys will be boys is silly and not acceptable. They need to be held accountable."

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