I am not stupid.

Notice the time stamp. Procrastination at its finest.

Anyways...

I was just reading the blog of a certain 13-year-old "fashion icon," who, at her young age, has already appeared in the front row at New York Fashion Week and in the pages of Vogue Paris. I have to say, while I was amused at certain points, and impressed with her knowledge of the fashion industry, I was also rather irritated. Why? Because this little 13-year-old girl, who knows very little about how the world actually works, writes in a very pretentious manner, and she also seems to think that in order to be taken "srsly" as a fashion blogger, she needs to chat about Bob Dylan and make nods to Pink Floyd in her writings, as well as "filter out narrow-minded people."

I had a couple problems with all of this:
1. Listening to Bob Dylan and Pink Floyd do not make you intellectual. It's music, it's for everyone to enjoy.
2. As for "filtering out narrow-minded people," good luck with that. Narrow-minded people are everywhere. Secondly, shouldn't you want to expand the minds of narrow-minded people instead of push them away? Be proactive, sweetheart.

It made me think about a few things, but mainly stereotypes. Stereotyping bothers me like none other--it's just disgusting. On top of that, it happens to me more often than not. People seem to be under the impression that I'm some sort of idiot because I'm in a sorority, I'm from the South, and I'm a fashion merchandising major. Are you serious? I have a 4.0. People think that I have no depth to me, that all I listen to is Luda and Miley Cyrus and John Mayer. I do listen to all of those people (John Mayer especially), but I also listen to classic rock--A LOT--as well as jazz, latin, and instrumental music. I appreciate art, especially progressive modern art; I love theater, dance, and film; I advocate vegetarianism, peace, and gay rights; I do charity work and help others as much as I can. And, for people who think I've never dealt with anything worse than a parking ticket, you're dead wrong. I won't get into details, but let's just say you don't know my life.

Stereotyping also affects the people around me. For example, one of my sisters--let's call her Anne--is a busty blonde with a french manicure and a perfect tan year-round. She drives a white Cadillac SUV, texts constantly, and always, always, ALWAYS has at least 3 boys around whom she's interested in. People look at her and think she's some sort of vapid blonde bimbo. ERRONEOUS. ON ALL COUNTS. She's a freaking genius and has one of the highest GPAs in our sorority (a 3.9, maybe?). She's a bio and pre-med major, and is ten times smarter than I could ever hope to be. However, just because she takes care of herself, people think she's stupid.

So, here's my question to that little 13-year old girl: if I'm walking down the street in a sundress and flip-flops instead of a vintage jacket 3 sizes too large and a pair of plaid Doc Martens and floral tights, does that make me narrow-minded? If I choose to wear contacts instead of glasses and keep my hair in the range of colors occuring in nature instead of hot pink, blue, or gray, does that mean I have no substance? If I have big boobs and blonde hair, does that make me some kind of bimbo?

NO.
I refuse to be regarded as stupid because of what I wear, who my friends are, or what I look like.

Don't sterotype others, and don't allow others to stereotype you.

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura