LSU students have been waiting for a break and it finally has come. Now, students may be planning trips for this year’s Spring Break. Every year, MTV and BET host their own versions of Spring Break, in which people from different places and universities visit. MTV holds several different shows, games and performances. BET also hosts performances by different artists.
According to MSNBC News, in the mid 90s, MTV brought its idea of Spring Break to Panama City Beach in Florida. From there it evolved, and this year, it was held in Miami South Beach. MTV began taping the shows March 12. This year shows such as DisMissed, Dude, that sucks!, Spring Break: Undercover and Say What Karoke aired on television.
MTV’s Spring Break also featured Fashionably Loud, which had entertainment from Shaggy and Dream. The show illustrated some fashion trends for the spring 2003. In addition, the show The Real Cancun aired on MTV, which is similar to reality TV. It consisted of a group of college students on their spring break. Of course, events that happened while on camera were not censored as reality shows are.
Each year, some time after MTV hosts its Spring Break, BET also has its own, called Spring Bling. Although it does not provide shows and games like MTV does, it manages to blend unique ideas with contest and musical performances. This year, Spring Bling was held at Daytona Beach, Fla. Artists such as 50 Cent, Sean Paul, Busta Rhymes, Cash Money, Ginuwine, Wayne Wonder and Beenie Man will perform. Episodes such as Rip the Runway, a fashion show with live performances, will be held. BET will hold a Step Off contest, which is a college step show competition. In addition, there will be a rap competition judged by celebrities.
Although it is clear the contests and events are different, one thing is obvious: the shows provide too much space for people to become too wild. It is easy to see this from watching it on television. Every year, nudity, alcohol and sex become the main subjects of Spring Break on both MTV and BET. Students may take this innocent break, and while on the journey of relaxing their brains may go overboard. During this break of festivities, males manage to go after females, who become prizes for them.
On shows such as The Real Cancun, viewers understand these people on television will do anything and do not care about being embarrassed in public. Spring Break on these two channels seems to give people a reason to act differently than they do in their normal lives. What is wrong with people getting drunk and having fun? Spring Break should be fun because no one has studying to worry about. This may be true, but it still does not mean safety is out of the question. At a time such as this, safety is an important issue.
Other than taking a break from classes, according to the history of Spring Break, this holiday has a tradition and culture.
Some people believe the rituals of Greeks and Romans before Christ welcomed the return of the spring, which is the season of fertility. Rituals included celebrating Dionysus and Bacchus, who is the god of wine. Some believe this tradition still greatly impacts Spring Break.
The tradition also goes back to American college students, who travel to different places, creating the custom called “the Road Trip.” Movies also contribute to this idea of Spring Break. The movie “Where the Boys Are” spread the notion of going to beaches in Florida to have “fun in the sun.” The traditions and customs of Spring Break go beyond alcohol and sex. People should have fun while taking a break from their classes but should be safe. Sex and alcohol are not one way to be secure.