If you have ever been to Carmel, Indiana, you will understand why it’s the city that everybody loves to hate. Carmel is the home to more roundabouts than any city in America, one freakishly successful high school, and suburban neighborhoods that are so close together that you’re not quite sure where one turns into another one.
Some people make fun of me for being from Carmel. Sometimes people are even skeptical about getting to know me. There is a certain stereotype about Carmel girls that identifies us as ditzy, rich, and superficial. If you're in need of more clarification about what this looks like, think about the concept of the "basic girl." The basic girl is everywhere. She is walking around your college campus, she is on TV, and she has endless comedic Twitter and Instagram accounts.
From an outsider’s perspective, I am the poster child for the basic white girl concept. I idolize Taylor Swift. I love wearing fleece-lined leggings and UGG boots. My favorite color is pink, so thank goodness it is one of Phi Mu’s colors. Oh yeah, did I mention that I am a sorority girl? I shamelessly buy $6 coffee drinks, and mostly just because it comes in a festive, leaf-embellished cup. Shortly after purchasing my drink, I never fail to share it with all of my Snapchat followers. Because if I’m going to spend $6 on a grande, two-pump soy Pumpkin Spice Latte, what’s the point in keeping it a secret?
Actually, what’s the point of keeping any of it a secret? Why should I be ashamed of what I like and what I don’t like? More importantly, just because I’m basic, does that mean I have nothing meaningful to contribute to society? For anyone who would like to make that argument, I would love to prove them wrong. I am a Communication major and Sociology minor at Hanover College. I was just elected to represent Phi Mu Rho Chapter on our Executive Committee. I will be traveling out of the country in May, for my first time ever, to study children’s culture in Great Britain. I am a lead singer in a band. I have a 3.4 cumulative GPA, which I would say is pretty damn good seeing that I also have a job, a social life, great friends, and an awesome boyfriend. All of these things make me who I am.
Am I extremely different from every other 20-year old girl in America? Absolutely not. Am I a unique, intelligent, passionate individual? Absolutely. So go ahead, call me basic. If you need me, I will be changing the world. One pumpkin spice latte at a time.
