What Being Called a 'Basic White Girl' Actually Feels Like

"She just looks like a basic white girl"

Most Popular Definition of 'Basic White Girl' :" A female who conforms to her surroundings and claims she is unique. She often drinks Starbucks, wears Ugg boots and Chacos and posts selfies on social networking sites every day. Also uses hashtags that don't have anything to do with the picture itself and wears oversized t-shirts." --Urban Dictionary

Today I will be posing the question: What are we actually saying to girls when we call them 'basic'?

I was called 'basic' for the first time last fall. 
Autumn has been my favorite season for as long as I can remember. I remember loving fall as a toddler, rolling in the leaf piles with my brothers and collecting acorns as treasure. 
So when expressing aloud one day last fall that "I just love Autumn so much" and being laughed at for being a "basic bitch", I felt an odd sense of hurt. 
I was called 'basic' again that winter when I learned how to knit warm, chunky infinity scarves for myself and friends. 
I wore my hand-knit scarves with a comfy pair of warm winter boots and a big, chunky sweater. I felt very confident in this outfit because it was warm, cute, and partially crafty. The last  comment I expected to receive when I when I went out in public was "you just look like a basic white girl". 
And truthfully, I wasn't okay with this. Why was I being made to feel like I am just like every other girl, when there is so much more to me as a person?

And I realized something then: the phrase "basic white girl" is not only hurtful, but a sick double standard as well.

What are you really saying to a girl when calling her 'basic'?

The term 'basic' at its definition is something that is simple and fundamental. 
By calling a girl 'basic', you are saying to her that she not only has no qualities that separate her from others, but also that she is plain and has little value above others. 

What right does anyone have to take one look at a girl and tell her she has no worth?

Based on what? Her shoes? Her coffee? 

So freakin' what if she likes stylish, trendy outfits. You can't blame a girl for wanting to look cute. So she has Chacos...okay? They are sturdy and perfect for all weather-types.

Oversized T-Shirts: lots of girls wear them because they come from social events they went to with friends...Big deal.

So what if she enjoys a hot Starbucks drink sometimes? Starbucks is delicious, last I checked...

The point is, calling out girls on being basic is destructive to their self-esteem. 

No one likes being told that they are just like everyone else and that they are not unique. "Basic Bitch" is a phrase that NEEDS to be stopped. Now. 

Basic White Girl is a sick double standard

Since when is it okay to consider other  trends acceptable, such as "Dad Bod" or "Frat Boy Style" without it being destructive in any way, but in fact admirable and cool? 

So "Frat Boy" style-donning people can go around looking exactly the same in their clothes and trends and be considered attractive and popular...but when girls do it they are just "annoying basic white girls"? 

Everyone has a right to feel like they can wear whatever they want without being attacked by society.

(Because only in our society do we have people being judged relentlessly for being gay or different in any way, but also for being "too normal" as well. )

Ladies: Wear whatever in the hell you want. If it makes you feel confident, wear it. If Chacos are comfortable and Uggs are warm, wear them. 

It's up to us to make this phrase stop. 

Stop calling girls 'basic'. You're not funny. It's a phrase that is meant to belittle and hurt females.

Stand up for yourselves. You are ALL unique. 

Love always, Hannah

The 5 Stages of Watching Someone Else's Graduation

First of all, shout out to my big brother Sam for receiving his B.S. degree in Biology this past Saturday! He's off to med school next fall and is a huge inspiration in my life. <3

So yeah, this past weekend I went to my brother's commencement ceremony and watched him receive his college degree.

And I realized something:

Going to someone else's graduation is a very introspecting event and there are five VERY distinct stages in which one goes through as a spectator...

(Each of the following stages is brought to you by my favorite television stars. You're welcome.)

Stage 1: Happy Fun Time

All the graduates are walking in, waving, and smiling ear to ear.
You get the satisfaction of shouting for your particular graduate as you see them marching in.
Pomp and Circumstance.
It's borderline euphoric being surrounded by that many happy people at one time. And you think thoughts like "wow what a happy day" and "they worked so hard to get here!"
Stage 1 is a pretty fun time.

Stage 2: Total Life Re-evaluation (and a side of crippling fear)

It's all fun and games until the commencement speaker starts his introduction.
Gotta love the guy that owns three businesses, started eight organizations for the poor and, like, cancer research, and also volunteers part time at the homeless shelter he created. And he "started right where you are today!"
And then you realize you are currently not doing anything productive with your time and immediately start questioning your path.
Literally I went in to this last commencement planning to be a teacher and left thinking I should probably go live in Africa and go fight poverty for a while.
Great, thanks Speaker Guy. Great.

Stage 3: Daunting Concern 

Stage 3 is that moment you realize just how many names they are about to start calling, and you're not so sure you're mentally prepared for it.

Stage 4: Bored Revelations

They are still calling names.
It's been an entire hour of names.
Amazing the things you will discover about life during this time.

Stage 5: The Final Stage: Unbearable Hanger

You are so proud of your graduate. You really are! You cheered loudly for them as they received their degree. 

But in the fifth and final stage, the hanger is too real. You are hungry. You are tired. You are so not having it anymore with unnecessary words from the Guys on the Stage. It is time to get on outta there.

I know this to be true. I hope today's post has prepared you all for the next commencement you spectate. 

ALL jokes aside, I am really proud of my brother. I loved seeing him graduate and it was a once in a lifetime event. I just thought I would bring a little comedy into your day, readers. 

Thanks for reading!

 

Plan Like an Adult; Play Like a Kid (the best zoo trip you will ever have)

If you're anything like me, the idea of "growing up" is pretty daunting and you may be feeling like life is not quite as exciting as it was when you were 6...

So to shake things up I decided to revert to one of my favorite childhood activities and take a trip to the zoo. This time, however, I brought my sweetie and used my impressive adult planning powers to make it (literally) the best zoo trip I've ever had.  AND YOU CAN TOO!

First things first: Check the website

We chose to visit the Birmingham Zoo, which is typically $15 or so per adult. But with a little online exploring, we found out that the zoo is half-price on Tuesdays.

Omg.

We had no idea, and it didn't exactly spell it out in bold on the homepage. We had to explore a bit to find out and then suddenly our price was cut in half!

Also by exploring the website a bit you can find out fun facts and current events about the zoo. We learned that the zoo had some newborn baby animals we had to check out while we were there. 

But THEN there is the information on there about events that happen at certain times throughout the day. Like apparently if you get there at a certain time in the morning you can feed the giraffes for a couple bucks. 

What??! 

And we definitely did. 

Yeah it was awesome as it looks. Thank you, website. 

Next: Check the weather!

This is probably the most crucial. Not only is it better in the morning, but if it's cool outside the animals will be ACTIVE. 

I'm serious, getting there in the morning on a cool summer day is the perfect combination. 

When it's mid-day and extremely hot, the animals just lay there sleeping....and that makes for a pretty boring day. 

But when it's cool, the animals are up doing crazy awesome things! It was amazing!

Examples:

This tiger who just wanted to enjoy his possum snack/toy

Yes that is a possum head, Yes he was playing with it. Yes he was that close to us!

This Horton that Heard a Who

Did you know there are aprox. 3,600 muscles in an elephant's trunk alone? 

The elephants were walking around finding treats with their trunks and picking them up and eating them. Also we had never seen an elephant drink water with its trunk in person, which he did, and also get so close to us we could practically reach out and touch him!

This peacock who was feeling extra fabulous

Okay we really aren't sure why but this peacock was walking around minding its own business and then, right before our very eyes, it shook shook shook its wings up out and suddenly it was looking at us like this. Fabulousness: Level Max.

Okay and finally, the Rhino.

I don't have a picture  of Mr. Rhino but get this: He was bathing himself in a mud hole only ten feet away from us. Not just bathing, either.

Rolling.

Playing. 

Splashing. 

He stood up and SPLASHED back down into his bath, spraying mud in all directions...including ours. We literally got mud thrown on us from the unexpected splash-zone.

Not enough to ruin our clothes or anything of course. But it was absolutely awesome!

Next: Pay for the Lorikeet or other bird feeding encounter

This only costs a dollar a person and was probably the highlight of our day. 

Basically you get a little cup of nectar and walk in to the exhibit. There, the birds land on you and eat right out of your hand. It is SO amazing to see these little guys up close!

And who knows. You might get a really good selfie with one of them.

This is my new bestie, by the way

Just be zoo-savvy :D

There are tons of other activities at the zoo that you never knew about. Feeding fish to pelicans (if you show up at the right time, again, check the website), camel rides, sea-lion show....and many more. 

It's all about how you plan. 

Now that I know all of this, I will NEVER have a boring zoo trip again. 

Who is God in the Midst of Tragedy?

How can we seek comfort in tragic times?

"But in my distress I cried out to the LORD; yes, I called to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry reached his ears." (2 Samuel 22:7)

The Lord God is close to the brokenhearted and those crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). He is our refuge in times of trouble (Psalm 59:16)

When our hearts are troubled, we MUST seek the Lord. When we give our anxious hearts to God, we gain peace. The Bible tells us in Philippians 4:6-7:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ". 

Who is God in the midst of tragedy?

Our Comforter: 

"..God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction..." (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

Our Overcomer:

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33)

Our Guide: 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Our Strength: 

"Do not panic. I am with you. There is no need for fear for I am your God. I will give you strength. I will help you. I will hold you steady and keep a firm grip on you." (Isaiah 41:10 The Message)

Our Protector: 

"You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance." (Psalm 32:7)

Unchanging: 

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." (Hebrews 13:8)

In times of trouble, it is so good to know how great our God is. In Him, the pain of today will pass. 

RIP Katie. You will never be forgotten, sweet girl.  

Love Always, 

Hannah