If you have been on any sort of social media or if you have even been in public at all in the past several years, you’ve probably heard the term “basic white girl.” It’s often the topic of Buzzfeed quizzes and starter pack tweets. Rarely can one mention Starbucks in a group of teenagers without hearing the phrase. So what does it even mean?

Urban Dictionary defines a basic white girl as “A female who conforms to her surroundings and claims she is unique. She often drinks Starbucks, wears Ugg boots in August, and posts selfies on social networking sites every. single. day. Also uses hashtags that don’t have anything to do with the picture itself.”

The second definition on Urban Dictionary lists the following characteristics as classic signs of a basic white girl: Starbucks, Uggs, Lots of selfies, Dog pictures, I love you all over Tumblr, Heart emojis, Leggings as pants, Forever 21, iPhone, Straightens hair even though it’s already straight, Instagrams food, Thin ass hair, Tries to be a photographer by taking a picture and putting an edit over it, Takes picture of legs in a tub, Pretty little liars, Can quote "Mean Girls", Enjoyed "Pitch Perfect", Nutella.

Of course, it can be easy to make fun of “basic white girls.” It’s easy to make fun of people when you lump them into some broad categories. That’s why we make fun of crazy girlfriends and rednecks and edgy emo kids. If a person can be lumped into a stereotype, then they will be, and they will likely be laughed at.

Now, I think most people realize that stereotyping is wrong. Most people know that you shouldn’t make assumptions about someone. Muslims shouldn’t be assumed as terrorists (I’m talking to you, Donald Trump). A black man walking down the street shouldn’t be assumed as a threat (I’m talking to you, police officers of America). Androgynous people shouldn’t be assumed as gay or lesbian (I’m talking to you, 95% of people I know).

However, no one seems to talk about how the “basic white girl” stereotype. It’s just accepted as true. If a white girl shows interest in something listed above, then she’s a basic white girl. She’s basic. Somehow, liking a certain thing automatically makes you superficial through and through.

If you enjoy a S’mores Frappuccino, you have no emotional depth.

If you take pictures of your food and post them on Instagram, you are unintelligent.

If you wear a flower crown, you are not one of a kind.

If you wear leggings as pants, you are not capable of changing the world.

Isn’t that essentially what it means to call someone a basic white girl? And why is it that no one talks about how degrading that is? Why is it okay to label people as basic due to their interests?

What I don’t understand is how the basic white girl label even came into play. When did we decide that these specific interests make a white girl basic? Is it because they’re popular among white girls? You would think so, but last time I checked, people of all skin colors and genders can enjoy a S’mores Frappuccino and post a picture of their food on Instagram. These things aren’t just popular among white girls.

Also, why is it that these popular things are exclusively associated with basic white girls? Lots of things in America are popular. Let’s list a few: Tattoos, Makeup, Top Ramen, Pizza, Energy drinks, Youtube, Beer, Music of all genres, Harry Potter, Vines, The Big Bang Theory, Love, Hatred, Taco Bell, Reality TV, Hedgehogs, Pokemon Go, Football, Actual football (soccer), Snapchat, Video games, Cats, Dogs, Booty Guns

And there’s much more.

However, for whatever reason, none of these interests are “basic white girl” interests. They’re just interests. That I bet many white girls have, as well as many black girls, Asian girls, Asian men, etc.

Do you see my point?

So why have we decided that there are certain interests that only apply to white girls, and why does liking something popular make you basic? It’s just another dumb stereotype that’s developed, but one that I find to be pretty hurtful when said seriously.

I myself am often teased for being a basic white girl. I like coffee (although I avoid Starbucks if I can), I highly edit photos to make them aesthetically pleasing, most of my clothing comes from Forever 21, and my room is covered with fairy lights. However, I am not basic. I’ve written a novel. I’m informed about the world around me. I like to think deeply. A love interest once described me as a “maze internally.”

Now, does every “basic white girl” comment bother me? No. But only when it’s innocent teasing. The problem with basic white girl shaming comes when one actually looks down on a person for fitting “basic white girl” characteristics.

If you drink Starbucks every day while wearing a North face sweatshirt, black leggings, and Ugg boots, you fit the description of a basic white girl. But you are not basic. You are unique. You are special. You are more than your tastes.

My ultimate point here is that stereotypes are kinda dumb. Of course, stereotypes exist for a reason. However, you should never assume that someone fits a stereotype. Especially when that stereotype is degrading and based on someone’s interests.

Just be nice.