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You Are Not An Individual
You Are Not An Individual How many people can honestly say they're unique? There are people who join a certain trend-set clique because it makes them feel unique. Those who call themselves "punk" because they want to be seen as indivuals and/or rebels. Those who call themselves "goth" because they reject the mainstream and don't want to stand out. Look at these people! Are they unique? Are they individuals? No! How can you tell a "goth" from a "punk?" Easy! A "goth" dresses in dark clothing, wears dark make-up, wears spiked or studded jewelry (eg: bracelets, collars, chokers, etc), whereas a "punk" has dyed hair (often a bright color of some sort) up in spikes or a mohawk, wears band patches and plaid pants and goes around talking about Anarchy. So if you're looking at a crowd of twenty people, one of whom is a "goth," which person do you think will draw your attention? I think it's safe to say that you'd almost immediately focus on that one person who claims to be trying not to stand out. If you're looking at another crowd of twenty of these stereotypical "punks," which one of them are you going to give your attention to? They all look practically the same, don't they? At least, they've all got the same thing going on with how they look. So how is that "goth" not standing out, like he says he's trying to do? How are those "punks" individuals, like they say they are? To put it simply, these individuals are all the same. Now I know I'm being extremely generalizing when I describe these "punks" and "goths," but I'm trying to focus on the stereotypical form of both of these labels. Stereotypically, "punks" and "goths" are seen as I described them. I'm very aware that there are many people who don't fit these descriptions completely, but another fact of the matter is that they still call themselves "punk" or "goth." They are still admitting to the fact that they can be labeled. They are similar enough with the rest of the people who fit under a certain label to the point where they feel safe calling themselves that. So when they go and speak of individuality, they're still being a bit hypocritical. I'm not saying to change yourself entirely so that you don't fit in with these people, all I'm saying is please don't call yourself unique or individual. While I know individuality can be looked upon as a mindset and it's "what's inside that counts," your mind is still set on pretending to be something you're not, which is why I've pointed out the general idea behind "goth" and "punk," rather than simply what they may look like on the outside. Now don't assume that I have something against how these people dress or behave [all the time], but rather understand that it's the hypocrisy behind it that I disapprove of. It's the name that I disapprove of. There's nothing wrong with dressing like your friends, but don't begin to generalize yourself for that. Also, I know I've only spoken about two specific cliques and that there are many more out there that could be discussed. The reason I focused on these two, though, is that they are the ones I see as most hypocritical. I've never heard a stereotypical "prep" say anything about not wanting to fit in. It's quite the opposite, as a matter of fact. While the main reason (which I see as valid) for being "preppy" is "because I like the way it looks," I still sense an underlying desire to fit in, be accepted, and be a part of the crowd (but I see that with all cliques; my point is that this one isn't so much hypocrisy as the others). Ask someone who isn't a "prep" what a "prep" is, and there's a good chance they'll tell you it's the popular people and the ones who dress nicely (not too nice, though, that spot's reserved for the "geeks"). They may even go so far to point out who, exactly, at their school is a "prep." They'll say it's the cheerleaders and the "jocks" (which I think is sort of a branch from the "preps," kind of like Catholicism and Mormonism are to Christianity), but once again, those are the people who tend to be seen as the most popular. Well, what about the popular "goths" and "punks?" Yes, what about them? I've suggested that, according to what we should be able to agree upon as the typical "punk," "goth," or "prep," it's all too often also a case of how the people look. Again, "don't judge a book by its cover." Well, sometimes it's a little hard not to look at someone with a foot-tall green mohawk and not think to call them a "punk." That's what they're going for; we might as well use it. Anyway, I've gotten to the point where I've gone in so many circles and left so many holes that my brain has fried itself and I'm too tired/lazy to read over all this and clear up any questionable statements I've probably made so I'll leave my rant at that. To reiterate: don't label yourself or I'll get pissed off. back |
