Masuk Free Press

I swear Masuk High School hates headphones. And, shockingly enough, it’s not the administration or the teachers who have a problem with them. As a student body, we have all somehow subconsciously decided that over-ear headphones are not socially acceptable.

Now, I’m not saying no one wears them. There are a few brave souls who dare to defy the unspoken rules, walking through the halls with their bulky, sound-canceling headphones like warriors in battle. But for the rest of us? It’s just not that simple. I’ve tried. And unless I’m in one of the few specific rooms where I feel safe enough to wear them, I just can’t bring myself to do it.

“My friends actually bully me any time I put my headphones on,” said senior Aubrey Zvovushe-Ramos. “Like, of course, they’re kind of kidding, but yeah, I always have to warn people, like, ‘Hey, I’m about to put on my headphones. Please don’t make fun of me.’ But they usually do anyway.”

On any given school day, it’s common to see students wearing AirPods. No matter how hard teachers try to crack down on it, the trend persists. Teachers glare, give the classic “take those out” and move on, but students don’t stop wearing them. And yet, not a single person dares to make fun of someone for their AirPods.

It’s like wearing AirPods is some kind of rebellious act that makes you cool, like you are subtly defying authority, refusing to fully engage with the world around you. But the second I pull out my obviously superior, far more effective headphones, it’s over. The jokes start flying.

“We have all these assemblies about like bullying and stuff,” said Zvovushe-Ramos. “The whole message is like ‘put yourself in other people’s shoes’ but I think maybe we should start saying ‘put yourself in other people’s headphones’ because if they did, they would get it.”

Maybe it’s jealousy. Maybe everyone is just mad that we headphone wearers can block out the chaos of the cafeteria during Flex while they suffer through the relentless noise. Or maybe they’ve just been brainwashed into believing that AirPods are the only socially acceptable way to listen to music. Either way, it’s an uphill battle every day to resist the pressure to just conform and use AirPods.

And the wildest part? Headphones are objectively better.

Sure, some might argue that AirPods are lighter, easier to carry, and if you have long hair, you can hide them in class. But, honestly, that just makes them harder to keep track of. Not once have I ever lost my headphones. My AirPods, however? I haven’t seen them since sophomore year.

“I like my AirPods, but for some things, headphones just get the job done better,” said senior Gabriella Assignon. “If I’m trying to actually lock in during Flex or lunch, AirPods are just not gonna cut it. I need my Sony WH-1000XM5s.”

And she’s right. Headphones have better sound quality, stronger noise cancellation, and, for many people, they’re just more comfortable. Despite this, the hallway haters at Masuk refuse to accept them.

“I just personally wouldn’t choose to wear those,” said junior Ritiksha Patel. “And yeah, I might’ve made fun of you a few times for them, but like no hate, they’re just a bit… bulky.”

And that’s the thing, it always comes back to the size. The biggest crime a person can commit in Masuk High School is wearing anything that draws too much attention. AirPods, with their tiny, sleek design, fit effortlessly into pockets. Headphones? They’re bold. They take up space. They make a statement. And for whatever reason, that’s seen as too much.

“God forbid a girl gets some peace and quiet in this school,” said Assignon. “Maybe the headphone haters hate so hard because they always got the pesky freshmen screaming in their ears. Fortunately, I cannot relate. My noise cancellation actually works.”

We need to let go of this ridiculous stigma. Headphones are not weird. They are not embarrassing. They are simply better. And if people are willing to clown on someone just because they want good sound quality and peace, then maybe they’re the ones who need to reconsider their priorities.

So to all my fellow over-ear headphone users out there—stay strong. The AirPod agenda may be powerful, but we know the truth. And we will not be silenced. Well, actually, we will be. Because our headphones have noise cancellation that actually works.