I have white, tanned skin. I love puppies and kittens and taking photos with them. My iPhone is within arm’s reach throughout the day. I order Starbucks' or Dunkin’ Donuts’ iced caramel macchiatos at least three times a week. I wear a combination of Chacos, Nike shorts and comfort color T-shirts nearly every day and I am in a sorority. Can you guess what I am? That’s right, I am a person, and I am not the “basic white girl” that you can stereotype and file away.

In my knowing of the phrase, being a basic white girl is having, liking or doing what I listed in the preceding paragraph and is something to be ashamed of and it seems that others agree, too. According to Urban Dictionary, a “basic white girl” is a female who conforms to her surroundings and claims she is unique. This definition discredits human nature. Inevitably, we as humans are all unique in our own way, no matter how alike a pair of twins are, for example.

As for conformity, conforming to one’s surroundings depends on one’s environment. It is natural for one to want to do the “cool thing” that everyone else is doing. That’s why adults say, “Is that what kids are doing these days?” But, to say that being a basic white girl requires no uniqueness and no individuality is false. To call me a basic white girl means that you haven’t taken the time out to fully understand who I am aside from the things that all girls in today’s society enjoy. Such as what I mentioned previously. I am not a basic white girl.

On the topic of modern-day enjoyment, who said a white girl isn’t allowed to own articles of clothing such as Chacos and T-shirts? Have you even worn Chacos? They are the most durable, universal, comfortable pair of sandals I’ve ever worn. Not to mention how comfortable comfort-color T-shirts are. I mean, comfort is in its name. And as a result of their popularity, companies are making money off of these products because they are trendy. So, let me be the lazy college student I am. I’ll even wear the same outfit combo two days in a row, so what? I am not a basic white girl.

Speaking of college students, coffee is a must for me. Although I own my own Keurig coffeemaker (which does in fact brew fantastic coffee), I am always giddy to pack my books and take a daily trip to Starbucks to grab a frappuccino and study. If you think I am being a basic white girl when I do this, think about the thousands of students across the world who need a pick-me-up. How do you think we get through finals? Caffeine. I am not a basic white girl.

No matter what sorority a college girl may be a member of, it isn’t true to call us basic white girls. As an upcoming sophomore at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, I have only been a part of Alpha Xi Delta for a year. However, it only takes one look to notice that a sorority is not made up of all Caucasian females. My chapter at UAB is diverse. We have the highest GPA on our campus. We have numerous sisters who hold leadership positions in various clubs. We consist of so many races and cultures. So, before you categorize me as a basic white girl, understand that a sorority girl does not fit the criteria; nor does being a basic white girl make one less of a person. I am not a basic white girl.

Horton the Elephant did speak of truth when he said “A person is a person no matter how small.” Although I do not live on a dandelion, I have the same feelings that the Whos of Whoville do. I am a person, and I can rock my pink crayon Halloween costume whenever I want (as seen above) because I am unique. But hey, at least I'm not a basic white girl.