Ridiculous 'Cinnamon Challenge' Wasn't Worth Principal's Time

on February 1, 2012 at 1:50 PM

Kids are clearly running out of legal substances to abuse. Whip-its and K2 Spice may be making headlines (thanks to the decidedly adult Demi Moore), but apparently cinnamon is the latest craze with real teens. Yup, that's right: Cinnamon. CINNAMON.

The inexplicably popular "Cinnamon Challenge" is to blame, and the trend is starting to cause real problems. Just in case you're not part of the "in crowd," the Cinnamon Challenge entails consuming an entire tablespoon of ground cinnamon in one shot (no vomiting, no inhaling). Sounds like a party, right?

It's even easy to smuggle the stuff into school! Because why would a teacher or principal bust you for cinnamon?

By the same token, how could any parent bust a principal for not busting kids for bringing a harmless, edible, spice rack staple ... to lunch?

That's what happened to Principal Carmen Rodriguez of Clinton Avenue School in New Haven, Connecticut. Well, she wasn't busted exactly, but she was put on administrative leave for allegedly seeing either one or a group of students attempting the Cinnamon Challenge during a lunch period and not doing anything about it.

As a parent, I think this is an unfair consequence. For a variety of reasons. First of all, I wouldn't rule out the possibility that Rodriguez didn't even know what she was seeing. Kids ... in a cafeteria ... putting spoons into their mouths ... um, it's not exactly like they whipped out a bong.

Secondly, while there are reportedly physical risks associated with the Cinnamon Challenge (kids who cough trying to swallow the fine powder could end up breathing it into their lungs), it sounds like the bigger risk is looking like an idiot.

The way I look at it ... why not let these kids make fools of themselves? If that's what Rodriguez was thinking, I completely understand. You want to do something incredibly stupid that's going to make your eyes water and your throat burn and everybody laugh at you? Go ahead! Bet you won't do it again!

Plain and simple, Rodriguez doesn't deserve to lose her job over something so ridiculous.

Have you heard about any kids in your town trying the Cinnamon Challenge?

Image via TheDeliciousLife/Flickr

About the author Jacqueline Burt

has written for numerous magazines, newspapers, and websites. She is easily bored and often tired, so she requires constant entertainment to keep her awake. Dance, Monkey! Dance!

Filed Under: behavior, school, issues

Comments (14)

Luvmyfam7

on Feb 1, 2012 at 2:14 PM

I agree.

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Ari.

on Feb 1, 2012 at 2:31 PM

Kids have been doing this cinnamon thing for as long as I can remember. They're not getting high off it, they're vomiting. It is almost impossible to do actually swallow it. Let them try, let them get sick, they're kids, they do dumb stuff.

Nonmember comment from Christie

I agree 100%..... What does this supposedly do to you? I have heard of attempting to swallow a spoonful of cinnamon before but did not know it was "mind-altering" I thought the point of attempting was that it was impossible....from what I hear it's not possible you end up spitting it out and sometimes getting sick....I had no clue it was a "drug" of sorts

puasaurusrex

on Feb 1, 2012 at 2:46 PM

The cinnamon challenge is OLD. Guys in my high school used to do it along with the cool whip challenge and gallon of milk challenge. It was like a weird hazing ritual that didn't hurt anyone, just throw up. No one ever managed to complete one let alone all three. It was just gross and funny to watch.

-Strawberry-

on Feb 1, 2012 at 2:55 PM

*smh* Kids come up with the stupidest crap.

Lynette

on Feb 1, 2012 at 2:58 PM

lol, sounds better than what the kids used to do w/ smartee's candy when I was a kid(crush and snort it). Cinnamon a lot has really great health benefits(like help regulating blood sugar). I say if the kids want to be stupid with it than fine. Although I would hope my son wouldn't ever try it since he is allergic!

Nonmember comment from hs

on Feb 1, 2012 at 3:00 PM

The principal doesn't deserve to be punished. It's a cooking spice that doesn't cause hallucinations or other euphoric symptoms that are usually followed by a withdrawal as seen in illegal drugs. In fact, the first time I ever heard of the Cinnamon Challenge was on America's Funniest Home Videos. The parent of the kid stupid enough to try it is the one probably making a fuss but judging by the kids decision-making skills makes me realize the apple probably doesn't fall too far from the tree.