You Should See Me in a Crown

Campbell County and its high school are microcosms of the world at large. Through an analysis of this particular town and this specific school, Johnson is able to level searing critiques at problems in society. One such problem that Johnson addresses through a recurring theme in the novel is the difference between performative activism and genuine allyship. Performative activism is supporting causes with the distinct purpose of improving one’s image, not for creating genuine change. It privileges the experiences of the person who is doing good over those who stand to benefit. It is phony and hollow.

Johnson primarily addresses the issues around performative activism through the character of Rachel. After Rachel tackles Liz and hurts her in the scrimmage, she becomes desperate to stay at the top of the prom polls. She does this by hijacking different activist and charity movements in order to make herself look better. Rachel forces her friends to help her hand out “hot-pink miniature footballs that say CONSENT IS SEXY as people walk into school” (106). By using the popular tagline, Rachel appears to support an important movement. However, Rachel does not appear to facilitate any actual conversation about consent; instead, she simply uses the movement to prop up her own image.