Thomas Cantrell

Associate Viewpoints Editor

Rudolph the Red Nosed Threat to the Herd

The story of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer tries to teach children that they shouldn’t treat someone differently just because they are different. That’s only true in the fantasy world. The honest reality is that Rudolph should have been treated differently than the other reindeer children.

He shouldn’t have been bullied, but he should have been treated differently. Reindeer are not at the top of their respective food chain. That means that they must constantly be vigilant of any possible predators that eat reindeer.

Reindeer avoid predators simply by hiding from them. Rudolph has a bright red light on his nose, making him an unmistakable target. To make matters worse, he also endangers anyone else just by being around them.

When anyone is as big of a threat to the herd’s safety as he is, the only sensible course of action is to limit the amount of situations where he can endanger others. Rudolph gets sympathy from bleeding hearts because the other kids treat him unfairly. The other kids bullied Rudolph by excluding him, which was wrong of them.

The kids are mean to Rudolph because they see their parents set the example. The adults simply put Rudolph in a position that limits how many people can be hurt by his harmful mutation. They observe adults treat Rudolph in the manner they do and follow their parents lead. To deter the bullying, the older reindeer definitely should have told their children about interacting with Rudolph and the right way to treat him. Children will still be children and some will be hurtful, but not nearly as many would be.

Rudolph may have been the hero that one foggy Christmas Eve, but he is still nothing but danger. It’s not like he was the only hope to save Christmas. Santa could’ve just as easily asked one of his elves to quickly build him some headlights for that sleigh of his. He chose Rudolph for no legitimate reason.

Now everyone in the North Pole holds Rudolph on the pedestal of the one who saved Christmas, when Rudolph is still as big of a problem as he was the day before. He still attracts the same abominable snowman that preys on him and the other reindeer. That nose of his causes him to be the least able to successfully hide. He knows it too.

When being chased by the abominable snowmen, Rudolph has even said, “It’s my nose! It keeps giving us away!” Rudolph should feel lucky that he is still allowed to be part of society. Many other species would reject someone in Rudolph’s position. Sure he was helpful once, but that moment is over.

Now That Christmas is over and Rudolph is back with the rest of his community. He still has that shiny red nose. He still continuously puts the safety of everyone around him in jeopardy. He still needs to be treated like the threat he is.

Emily Rice

Features Editor

Rudolph the Red Nosed Victim of Harassment

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” is, at first glance, a wholesome Christmas carol. But upon further examination, it is easy to see that this catchy jingle is infused with pro-bullying propaganda.

“All of the other reindeer used to laugh and call him names. They never let poor Rudolph join in any reindeer games.” First of all, an abnormality like a red, glowing nose is no laughing matter. Rudolph’s parents should have consulted their physician immediately.

Second, his abnormal nose should not be a reason to ostracize him. His nose is not something he can control or fix, so his peers need to back off. Despite his horrible treatment, Rudolph not only helps all the oddballs on the Island of Misfit Toys through their crippling depression, but also leads Santa’s sleigh through the dangerous fog in order to bring gifts to ALL THE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD.

Don’t even get me started on Hermey, the adorable little elf that just wanted to pursue his dreams in the dental profession. He, too, was tormented because he did not align himself with the status quo. It is becoming increasingly apparent that the citizens of the North Pole are more stuck in their ways than an 80 year-old man yelling at children to get off his lawn.

But wait, there’s more!

“Then all the reindeer loved him as they shouted out with glee, ‘Rudolph the Red- Nosed Reindeer, you’ll go down in history!’” It sounds like a cute little ending to a cute little story, right? Wrong. Giving Rudolph praise, but following it up by calling him a “Red Nosed Reindeer” is extremely vicious and deplorable.

Continuing the name calling in a more polite way is not any better than excluding him from reindeer games. I am certain he would not appreciate this backhanded compliment any more than a teenage girl would like to hear the words, “You’re really pretty for a girl with glasses.” In any case, the moral of this song is that it is acceptable to bully someone until they are useful to you.

Rudolph deserved none of the foul treatment he received throughout his younger years. If anything, it should have been utilized from the start. How did Santa not see the usefulness of a glowing nose, when his sleigh was not equipped with headlights?

Treating Rudolph with respect was an easy decision, but Santa, his elves, and even the other reindeer refused to do the right thing. Bullying is never okay. Not when you’re a kindergartner on the playground. Not when you’re a duckling with an ugly brother. And especially not when you’re an adolescent reindeer with a classmate who is slightly different than you are.