Blog #509: My Neurodivergent Reaction to the "Chicken Jockey" TikTok Trend
- Jeffrey Snyder
- Apr 30
- 4 min read
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I'm sure that many of my followers on here are just so happened to be familiar with "A Minecraft Movie" starring Jack Black that opened up back on April 4th. I'm also going to say right off the bat that I am NOT a Minecraft fan, nor do I even give a damn about it. However, for those of you who are Minecraft fans, it was your civic duty to see this film and take in Minecraft on the big screen.
But, what most theaters didn't expect was the rise of a meme called "Chicken Jockey" that occurs during the film that caught much attention, including myself. For those of you who don't know, let me elucidate here: the "Chicken Jockey" meme occurs where there is a zombie who rides on top of a chicken and then Jack Black calls out "Chicken Jockey!" causing the audience to throw everything: popcorn, soda and even live chickens at the screen.
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When audience members perform this meme, it is not only bothersome to those who want to watch the film, but it also causes neurodivergent individuals to become anxious and develop anxiety and/or panic attacks. I can relate to this on account that when I was in school, there were moments that were on the level of "Chicken Jockey," but not as big.
In fact, I remember the last day of school as a senior where about 150 of my classmates went bananas around the school celebrating their liberation of being in school for 10 months for 12 years. Naturally, of course, I didn't participate as first of all, it wasn't in my nature and second of all, I had a doctor's appointment that day after school. But, it got so bad that the police were called and when I went down to the office to wait for my mom to take me to the doctor's, there was actually a student crying because she was so traumatized by the behavior that was being displayed and who wouldn't be traumatized? I know I certainly would.
I mean, nobody wants to see riots or unwanted bits of behavior, particuarly in a movie theater. Much like with the last day of senior year, the cops were called and some theater attendees who were causing trouble at the meme were escorted out of the theater. The truth of the matter is that some of today's youth think that going to the theater and acting up on a worthless and meaningless meme is their right, but it's not. Going to the movie theater is a privilege and something like "Chicken Jockey" violates that privilege.
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For neurodivergent individuals, going to the movies is not just a privilege that must be earned, but it becomes part of a routine depending on what type of movie that is being shown. Trust me, if there was a group of neurodivergent individuals attending the Minecraft Movie and they were subjected to the "Chicken Jockey" garbage, there would be meltdowns and panic attacks galore while some would find it funny even if it's inappropriate.
There is also the matter of the movie theater staff themselves. Much like in my nearly 20 years of retail/customer service, they don't make a lot of money and are subjected to the wrath of customer's anger because "the customer is always right," which I don't always agree with now that I am a practicing public speaker and business owner.
However, when movie theater patrons cause chaos because of "chicken jockey" and that the staff have to be the ones to clean up the mess after each showing, then that goes to show you that the saying "the customer is always right," is being abused on account that it's the right of the customer to throw popcorn, soda, water and anything else at the screen while making noise and not caring about anyone else.
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If there is a solution that needs to be found for movie theaters is that they need to bring back the theater policy trailer that they used to play before the feature presentation. Essentially, had the theater policy trailer been in use, then perhaps none of this would have happened in the first place. I mean, I've been to movies with the theaters packed like "Pokemon: The First Movie," and the first Harry Potter movie, "Sorcerer's Stone," and they had the theater policy trailers then. I've also been to two "My Little Pony: Equestria Girls" movies in theaters and while some members of the audience called out, they were usually for a second and then they would be quiet.
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Now, for those of you who might be out there calling me a sourpuss and poor sport as you read this, remember that respect is something to be earned and not given. If you saw "A Minecraft Movie" and took part in the Chicken Jockey trend, you never earned respect because you didn't give it to those who were watching the movie in peace. As a neurodivergent, I like things to be in order and memes like "Chicken Jockey" are against what I want to see out of going to the movies.
So, in conclusion, if you are going to see "A Minecraft Movie" and when the Chicken Jockey meme comes about, just sit in your seat and watch the film in front of you because a little respect goes a long way, especially towards neurodivergent attendees.
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Catch you all later!!
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