Yeah, I’m a Gleek, which probably seems fairly unusual since I am always going on about my fear for the future of society and all that.  But this show, and the way that it’s taken the world by storm, gives me quite a lot of hope.  No, I’m not going to talk about how cute I think Blaine Anderson is or how much I loved one of Rachel’s solos.  I want to discuss the idea of the underdog and how I’ve witnessed firsthand how this show brings people together.

When I fall in love with pop culture phenomenons, I tend to do it with my whole heart, and Glee is no exception.  The thing about this show, and the main reason that I think it has become such a global trend, is the story.  It’s extremely relatable, isn’t it?  There’s literally something for everyone- whether you’re a cheerleader, you are differently abled, or you’re both.  Glee isn’t afraid to present the alternatives to everyday stereotypes.  It’s about the champion of all human beings, not just the ones that contemporary society has deemed worthy.  And you have to admit, the singing and dancing is definitely catchy.

For something that presents itself as a comedy, the show deals with a lot of heavy issues.  Being gay, bullying, teenage pregnancy- we’ve all seen the after school specials.  Glee has never been afraid to push these story lines and raise real issues outside of comedic context.  While it, first and foremost, aims to entertain its viewers, Glee is also about being true to who you are, regardless of who’s with you or against you.

Even beyond the scope of the characters, the actors themselves provide real life role models for their viewers, both young and old.  Take Chris Colfer, for example.  Barely 21, and he has won a Golden Globe, been nominated for an Emmy twice, written and starred in his own movie, written a children’s book series, sold a television show to Disney, and also manages to sing, dance, and act as Kurt Hummel every week.  Yes, Chris is the ambitious over achiever that we all strive to be- but he’s come a long way from his roots in Clovis, California.  Bullied viciously by his classmates for his sexuality and high-pitched voice, Chris now portrays a character who’s story line is more than just a story for him- it’s his past.  Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan, and Brad Falchuk, the three head writers of the show, are not afraid to incorporate the trials that their actors have gone through in their lives to the characters themselves.  These are real life issues, though they provide the masses with entertainment every Tuesday night during the season.  These real issues make the characters relatable.

I’m not afraid to admit that if Rachel Berry and Kurt Hummel had a child it would be me.  That’s the thing, though- I have more than one character who I share traits with.  And in recognizing the good and the bad in these characters, and therefore, myself, I am also able to do the same with others.  The world is not as black and white as we like to think it is.  There are all kinds of shades of grey- where Cheerleaders are lesbians and the Kid in a Wheel chair can bust some mean dance grooves in a group number.  It’s seeing this breaking of stereotypes that people begin to breach their own social circles and venture into territory they have never encountered.  In my personal experience, I have seen best friends come out of this Glee Fanbase, people who would not have met if it was not for a common interest in the show and its message.  I have seen people change because they weren’t being honest about who they were.  And that’s what I love the most about Glee- that it can act as an agent of change.  That it’s more than just a show about a bunch of singing and dancing high school outcasts, but a representation of all different kinds of battles.  By its very definition, Glee is about opening yourself up to joy.  Even more than that, it gives everyone a place to belong- no matter what background they come from or what trials they have over come.  Glee is about celebrating the person that you are and letting you become a part of something greater than your troubles.  And as Rachel pointed out to Gleeks in the very first episode of the show, Being a part of something special makes you special.