If you grew up watching Degrassi, you know that it goes there. You also know that the show became so incestuous that every character on it must have had some kind of disease. From Wheelchair Jimmy to Manny’s Thong (it was basically its own character), Degrassi was like a cool older sibling that gave us advice (mostly on what not to do). If you remember watching week-long marathons of “The N” with your middle school besties, than Degrassi taught you everything you need to know about life, love, and bad decisions.
1. Low rise jeans are appropriate for every occasion.
In middle school, it seemed impossibly cool to let your thong hang out of your ridiculously low rise jeans (that trend was courtesy of Britney Spears, who I’ve never fully forgiven). Bonus points if said jeans were bedazzled or Juicy Couture.
2. Don’t let anyone stop your swag.
Wheelchair Jimmy is one epic character I can never forget. Sure, Drake might want me to, but I just can’t do it. He’ll always be Wheelchair Jimmy to me, no matter how hard he tries. He’s just a little Jewish boy from Canada, and that’s not hard at all (but I’d still hit it). Despite his many peen problems, Drake (real name: Wheelchair Jimmy) didn’t let anyone steal his swag or dull his sparkle. He used the emotions he developed playing a middle schooler full of feelings to make the most emo raps of all time. Wheel on, Drake, wheel on.
3. When you take nudes, you should probably hide your face.
Sure, all of these celebrities might be shocking America with their love of nekkid pictures, but Manny did it first, and girlfriend did it better. Thanks to our girl Manny, a generation of ladies realized that it might be better to not take it all of for the school’s resident creep show. Unfortunately, it’s a lesson that most girls learn by experience. These days, there are so many nudes out there that it’s probably more than likely one topless Snapchat doesn’t mean you’re going to be “famouuuuuuuussssssss!” I can only hope that Peter sold her picture for a million dollars.
4. No bracelet is worth gonorrhea.
No matter how popular you want to be, you should never follow a boy into his sketchy white van at the bottom of the ravine. Those ticky tacky bracelets are definitely not worth any type of sexual favor, including, but not limited to, dome. Sorry, Jay, but green’s just not my color– but Emma’s always been into saving the Earth, so I guess you tempted her that way.
5. Downtown Sasquatch is the greatest band our generation has ever seen.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vY0DCy-z-x0&w=420&h=315]
They’re no Neutral Milk Hotel, but they’ll always be my favorite emo band. Luckily, Craig’s improved his voice since his DS days. He was in Spring Awakening, and he’s currently starring in the Carole King musical on Broadway. I just hope he’s worked on his coke problem…
6. It’s okay to go a little cray cray (especially if you’re Craig).
Poor baby Craig had all the issues (which makes it easier to forgive him for the way he mistreated that loose girl, Manny). From the bipolar breakdown to his time in Coke City, Craig went rogue. Luckily, he was cute enough to excuse his bad behavior (even when he was singing off key).
7. Nothing lasts forever.
Degrassi bravely tackled all kinds of pre-teen issues, from eating disorders, to abuse, to shootings. Oddly enough, once an episode covered it, said issue was never spoken of again. It’s the perfect reminder that nothing lasts forever, especially when you’re twelve.
8. Your middle school besties will always be there for you.
Your middle school besties know you better than anyone. Sure, they haven’t seen you get stabbed, shot, and start a horrible emo band, but they’ll always be there for you– and that’s what matters.
