Four senior boys sit side-by-side in blue, red, and green colored chairs in the fourth floor hallway, consumed in light-hearted sports banter. As a friend walks by, one of them calls out, “what up bergs.” The word “bergs” blends seamlessly into the conversation, without an inflection of voice calling attention to it. The interaction is audible to the juniors and seniors sprawled out on the chairs and carpeted floors yet, not a single head turns their way. Two girls make distinct eye rolls, and utter a short, annoyed laugh before refocusing their gaze on their physics homework.

Although a number of upper school students understand this single-syllable word to be an offensive mocking of Asperger Syndrome, “bergs” has become a popular slang term casually tossed around hallways, locker rooms, and snapchat group chats. “Saying “bergs” is a way of making fun of people when they do something dumb,” said junior Estelle Heltzer, “If I trip in the hallway— ‘bergs.’ If I get caught doing something weird— ‘bergs.’ People call me ‘bergs’ at least a few times a day.”

While “bergs” is a standard example of ableism, “geech” has also been coined a popular term in the Upper School. Among students and faculty, “geech” is often considered a blatant homophobic slur, synonymous with the use of “gay” as an insult. “I use the word “geech” when I’m talking about something I don’t want to do, or when someone is being lame,” said anonymous senior boy #1, “I would say ‘that’s geech’ or ‘they’re being geech.’”

According to Sophomore Grade Head and Upper School History Teacher Andrew Bigelow, Grade Heads were recently notified of the slang terms and the frequency with which they are being used by Upper Schoolers. “It’s very covert homophobia, transphobia, and discrimination towards folks with disabilities—it’s coded language that couldn’t be more obvious,” Bigelow said.“This coded language is so descriptive, and I am just so unbelievably surprised at how prevalent it has become.”

Heltzer claims that the use of these derogatory terms is most popular among upperclassmen. “I usually get called ‘bergs’ by junior and senior boys,” said Heltzer. “At Parker, there’s a culture of using these words to bring people down. If you went to any other school, you definitely wouldn’t hear the same words.”

An anonymous sophomore boy claims he heard “bergs” and “geech” first used during his freshman year at Parker. “I would hear all of the juniors and seniors saying those words while they were talking,” he said. “The first time I heard “geech” was probably during the soccer preseason.”

Anonymous senior boy #2 concedes that the words “geech” and “bergs” are used in higher proportion among senior boys than any other gender or age group within the Upper School. “I think it’s just a choice of what word we use to describe someone that’s bothering us,” he said.

“Gay,” similar to “fag” and “homo,” became a popular term of abuse in the 1980’s, quickly spreading to high school cafeterias and bleachers across the country. “Geech” is often considered yet another variation of “gay.” “When I say the word ‘geech’ people obviously know it means ‘gay,’ but it’s used in the same way people say ‘gay’ when they mean ‘stupid,’” said anonymous sophomore boy. “It’s not OK, but they’re catchy, and when it’s so catchy, it’s kind of hard to stop saying them. But, you know, I’ll stop…maybe.”

Anonymous senior boys #1 and #2 reject the notion that the word “geech” should be considered a homophobic slur. “People try to make the word ‘geech’ offensive because they’re trying to be politically correct. They’re trying to get upset about nothing,”
said anonymous senior boy #1.

“It’s a word from a comedic origin thatis used to describe someone who is annoying to demean them,” said anonymous senior boy #2. When asked if he believes “geech” is an offensive term, anonymous senior boy #2 peered to the side, his friends chuckling at his previous response. “Well, I would need a more specific definition of the word offensive,” said anonymous senior boy #2. “Anyone could chose to be offended by anything. Geech does not mean gay. I do not know why you would think that.”

Anonymous senior boy #2 rejects the notion that the word “geech” is a homophobic term, “I wouldn’t say it was made up,” said anonymous senior boy #2, “but I think saying that it means the same thing as ‘gay’ is false. It’s demeaning, not homophobic.”

Although the coining of this derogatory language is often credited to the graduating classes of 2017 and 2018, Bigelow believes that the increase in disrespectful behavior can be attributed to the nation’s current political climate.

“I think it’s because we have a President in the White House who is misbehaving,” said Bigelow. “He does not lead by example. He uses horrific language. He belittles women. He’s homophobic. He’s transphobic. He’s racist, and he has the Pulpit. He gets away with it.”

Despite the fact that Parker is commonly known for embracing liberal politics, Bigelow believes that students are subconsciously mimicking the behavior they observe in the White House. “I don’t think we have many kids who support Trump,” said Bigelow, “but we have many kids who are showing a bit of entitlement in a way which comes off as arrogant, and it’s our job to teach them, and their families, that we won’t accept that.”

Bigelow firmly believes that teachers must hold their students accountable for their words. “Given that everyone has been warned that this language is unacceptable, I would make a point of stopping what we’re doing, and that person who uttered a derogatory term in his presence would be spoken to in front of everyone—I don’t care where we are—because if I take them aside, then I am given that person power,” said Bigelow, “When a student says something that is out of line, or is discriminatory, it’s my job to say something right away because I can’t be that innocent bystander.”

In terms of consequences, some students question whether teachers have the authority to impose punishment. “It’s not a real word, so I don’t think you can get in that much trouble for saying it,” said anonymous sophomore boy. “You shouldn’t call someone ‘aspergers,’ and I realize that is mean, but I’m not saying it in that way. I’m just saying it as a universal derogatory term.”

Anonymous senior boy #2 believes that a teacher’s reaction to overhearing him say “geech” would be addressed in the same manner as if he had uttered any generic slur or curse word. “I think the teacher reaction is independent of whether the word is homophobic or not,” he said.

In addition to potential consequences, students must assess the effect of their slang on fellow peers. “When people call me ‘bergs’, it makes me feel like I’m stupid,” said Heltzer, “I don’t know why they call me these names, but whenever they do, everyone starts laughing. I think people are too scared to stand up for themselves because they’re afraid it will lead to more.”

In response to previous events involving a Parker student and racially offensive text messages, Principal Daniel Frank ‘74 issued an email to the Parker community in which he denounces the use of abusive language. “Together, we can narrow the gap between the ideal and the real, not by lowering our standards but by raising the quality of our behavior toward one another,” Frank said in his email. “Please ask yourself if you can commit yourself to this single goal: To upholding the mission of our school by working to end the use of hateful slurs and other dehumanizing actions of any kind.”

“My silence is deadly,” Bigelow said.