Once, a guy called me basic. Not necessarily in an insulting way, just in a casual way. I was at Starbucks, we were texting and he asked what I was doing. After my response, he just said one word: “Basic." Being the strong, independent feminist that I am, I of course argued with him. He then proceeded to ask me if I liked "Grey’s Anatomy," yoga pants, etc. Then he continued to call me basic. Let’s just say that thing ended very quickly. After I was shamed for my love of coffee, I began to wonder, “What really qualifies a girl as ‘basic,’ and why is that a bad thing?”
There is a negative connotation on everything girls do. We can’t even enjoy our coffee without being judged. Now I love Starbucks as much as the next girl, but my love for caffeine goes far beyond the label. I will take it in any form from any place. I do not discriminate. But when it comes down to it, why would you wear Crocs when you could wear Louis Vuitton? If there is a Starbucks in sight, why would I settle for a lesser product?
My dog’s name is Cali. As in Callie Torres from "Grey’s Anatomy." Quite frankly, my dog has a big name to live up to. My love for that show is just about as strong as my love for real people. Thursday nights are sacred in my house. I don’t understand why a show such as this qualifies as a “basic” girl show. Just because a majority of girls watch it, it means that it fits into that small-minded category? "Grey’s" isn’t the only show like this. "Gossip Girl," "Pretty Little Liars" and many more are also labeled as shows basic girls watch. If my life depended on it, I could not give you a reason as to why this phenomenon exists, but maybe A could.
“You might be basic if your favorite place to shop is Target.” Guess what—one of my favorite places to shop is Target. Why wouldn’t it be? They have everything you could possibly need, all in one place. I could shop at only Target for the rest of my life and be completely satisfied. And I would never lack the basic necessities, plus a few more things that I probably don’t need. Apparently it is just common sense that since many girls love Target that it is thrown into the “basic” box. Which by the looks of it, that box is pretty fabulous, decked out in sparkles, monograms and floral prints.
Our society is very label-focused. When someone or something doesn’t fit into a labeled compartment, we become uncomfortable. When we label a person or a group, they become predictable; it is easier for us to interact and have a relationship with that person because we can’t be thrown off guard. We like comfort and familiarity. But people aren’t meant to have labels, and our labels ultimately will fail us as soon as we get to know a person on a more personal level. The label doesn’t make a person, their likes and dislikes, their passions and their humor make up who they are.
Ladies, next time you are called basic, just smile. You are in on a secret that the rest of the world doesn’t know yet: your life is really just better than theirs. Rock those yoga pants, aspire to be like Blair Waldorf, quote "Mean Girls," jam (or cry) to Taylor Swift, outshine everyone in your XL T-shirt, Norts and Birks. And do all of this with a venti double shot in your hand. And it’s OK to pity those who are scared of basic, because they’re missing out on a pretty good life.
I forgot this minor detail, he had a man bun. Take that as you will. Aka basic.
