By Peyton Dickerson, Online Editor-In-Chief
First, it was girls who liked One Direction. Then, it was girls who wore makeup or watched “Twilight.” Now we turn our nose up at girls who use metal straws and Hydro Flasks.
With every decade comes a plethora of new stereotypes, and the majority of them stem from pop-culture or media.
In the ‘80s, the popular film “The Breakfast Club” portrayed myriad stereotypes such as the geek, jock and basket case. Bands in the 1990s such as Nirvana and Pearl Jam inspired grunge and punk-rock aesthetics. When the 2000s arrived, the beloved high-school-spoof film “Mean Girls” depicted the “queen-bee” stereotype.
Now it’s 2019, and apps such as VSCO and Instagram are causing societal standards to be more prominent than ever. People who use Hydro Flasks are “VSCO girls,” or “basic.”
This is just one example of a modern stereotype that has recently surfaced. Others include E-boys/girls, which is an umbrella term for people who wear dark clothing, chain jewelry and like to skateboard. These people are usually associated with being “too edgy.”
The list of nicknames is never ending, but the most prominent issue with them is the idea behind them – that people are shamed for the things they like because society has to label them. Now, it’s hard for us to not walk into a room and place everybody we see into a category.
The feeling of walking down the hallway while people watch and whisper about you is one of the worst feelings. You spent so long choosing that outfit, thought it looked great, and now all you can see are eyes of judgment beaming your way.
If girls and boys enjoy pop-culture, let them. If someone wants to wear a shell-necklace and a scrunchie on their wrist, let them. We have become brainwashed into judging boys and girls who follow popular trends. It’s become trendy to be different.
The “I’m not like other girls” movement – the idea that girls have to be different in order to be considered a valid member of society – is dangerous. It pains me to know that people feel like they have to meet this standard.
It is OK for people to like what they like. The more we lower our arrogance and embrace our differences, the less conflict there will be.
Focus on spreading positivity and uplifting others rather than using every excuse you can to tear them down. When you first meet someone, try not to point out everything you find wrong with them.
You don’t have to be different to be cool. Like what you want, even if it’s considered too basic. If you want to, grab a colorful scrunchie to wear on your wrist. Fill up your Hydro Flask without fear of judgment. It may be extremely cliche, but be who you want to be, and so will everyone else.
Junior Peyton Dickerson can be reached at 21dickersonpe28@daretolearn.org.
