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Things I Hope Are Acceptable In 2015

People are, for the most part, free to do whatever they like in this world. Heavy emphasis on for the most part. But aside from illegal activity and general societal faux pas, there are a lot of things that for some reason, we like to deem unacceptable. For example, I have a huge problem with cargo anything. But is there an actual problem with it? Probably not. And it's frustrating when you like something that the general population constantly sh*ts on for what appears to be absolutely no reason. So here are a few things that I hope become "socially acceptable" in the new year and stop getting so much hate. 




1. SELFIES

What is the problem with seflies? I genuinely don't understand what is wrong with somebody taking a picture of themselves because they're feeling particularly confident that day. A quote by Ezra Koenig (singer of Vampire Weekend) sums up my feelings on selfies perfectly. 
"I’m definitely Pro-Selfie. I think that anybody who’s Anti-Selfie is really just a hater. Because, truthfully, why shouldn’t people take pictures of themselves? When I’m on Instagram and I see that somebody took a picture of themselves, I’m like ‘Thank You’.I don’t need to see a picture of the sky, the trees, plants. There’s only one you.I could Google image search ‘the sky’ and I would probably see beautiful images to knock my socks off. But I can’t google, you know ‘what does my friend look like today?’For you to be able to take a picture of yourself that you feel good enough about to share with the world - I think that’s a great thing."
Goals for 2015: Take selfies unapologetically. Don't let anybody tell you that you're being self-centered. Post a selfie every day, twice a day if you really want to. Do what makes YOU feel comfortable, but don't take away someone's source of comfort or confidence just because you think it's attention seeking or vain.

2. "WHITE GIRL CULTURE"

This one grinds my gears. I'm sorry that I even have to refer to this as "white girl culture," but #TypicalWhiteGirl and #WhiteGirlProblems have been continuously becoming more popular and prevalent. Just this past year somebody tried using it as what appeared to be an insult on an Instagram picture featuring a Pumpkin Spice Latte and my beloved Lilly Pulitzer agenda!

Why are UGGs, Northfaces, Starbucks, selfies, and the newest meme, bath bombs, all associated with white women? Why are they all seemingly big issues? Why can I not post a picture of my latte and agenda without receiving petty and uncreative hate?  Is it really that offensive?

As a female in general, the things that I thoroughly enjoy are constantly berated and belittled by men. Makeup, drinks of choice (for me, Starbucks), and clothing stores (because heaven forbid you be called a "basic white girl") are under heavy criticism. You can say I'm over-reacting or that this might not be an issue, but I just wish that people could like whatever they want and not receive and criticism or backlash for it.

Goals for 2015: Taylor Swift said it best in her future pop classic "Shake It Off": The haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate. Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake, shake it off, shake it off! Do what you love and screw everything else. Be unapologetic in your interests. Don't be afraid to shop somewhere or drink something because of nonsensical insults. You do you, and nobody else.

3. POP MUSIC

When did everybody and their grandmother become music snobs? I will admit to being a snob when it came to music back in the early high school days, but that's because I was blinded by the constant need to be cool and accepted. Once I realized that I was, in fact, not cool in the slightest, I transformed into the person who genuinely enjoyed most types of music without any embarrassment.

Recently more than ever there has been so much hate surrounding pop music and Top 40 music. Yes, some of it can be annoying. Yes, some can be repetitive. Yes, yes, yes. But some people just hate it because it's popular to hate it.

"Ew, how can you listen to that pop crap?"

Well, I don't know. How the hell am I going to booty-pop to Bon Iver? Can you running man to Foo Fighters? Walk like an Egyptian to Arcade Fire? NO. So don't hate on me for liking boy bands and Top 40 pop. It's not cool. You just sound like a jerk.

Goals for 2015: Enjoy whatever music makes you happy. Spin around to Taylor Swift or drive to Death Cab or run to Springsteen. Buy albums that make you smile and ones that you've waited months to release. Create playlists for different occasions, even one for when you're getting ready to go out. Appreciate pop music for what it is and recognize that there is meaningful pop in addition to fun and happy-go-lucky pop, even with some overlap. Don't ever apologize for your music taste or for a "guilty pleasure" song coming up on shuffle.

4. PEOPLE, SPECIFICALLY EVERYBODY

Let me elaborate. I hope that all people, no matter their race, gender, sexual orientation, body type, facial structure, etc are treated as equals and truly and fully accepted. I hope that there is no more feminist hate or racial prejudice (wishful thinking, I'm aware) or hate crimes. I hope that no other teenagers have to die in order to escape their judgmental families and lifestyles or to make a mark on the community to teach them a lesson. I hope that every person is loved unconditionally.

Goals for 2015: Be supportive. Keep an open mind. Do not judge somebody based on their appearance or general being. It's their actions and words that determine their character  and worthiness, not the color of their skin, gender, or sexual preference.

What changes do you hope to see in 2015?

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