Chances are, the acronym “PSL” is not a foreign one, considering the amount of the attention this three-word phrase has gotten this fall season. For those without this knowledge, PSL stands for the pumpkin spice latte, made famous by Starbucks. After Starbucks reintroduced this flavor earlier in the year, it has gotten coffee fans across the nation flocking to the nearest Starbucks for that fabulous flavor. However, there is a little stereotyping that comes along with the purchase of this delicious drink; a slew of ideals and labels is placed on the drinker even before the warm, cinnamon goodness touches her lips. 

The term, “basic white girl,” -- to my knowledge, this is yet to be shortened to a catchy acronym -- may come immediately to mind. According to Urban Dictionary, this phrase refers to, “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.”

From an Internet and cultural perspective, it may appear as a simple joke about the average girl who may fit some, or all, of this ideal. I have heard college students in my classes and friend groups use the term nonchalantly to tease their female counterparts and friends about their “basic” lifestyle choices. I’ve even heard women refer to themselves as "basic white girls."  

However, indulge me in a change of perspective: how would the term “basic black girl” sound if casually used to describe a person’s choices, likes, and actions? What if you substituted “white” with any other term to describe race or ethnicity? What if “girl” was substituted with other gender identifications? Not so funny anymore, is it? Based on my own understanding of the term, using the term “basic white girl” is not only a derogatory reference to women of Caucasian background or orientation, but adds a negative connotation to all things considered “basic” in this reference. Suddenly, wearing a certain type of clothing is a sin and ordering a well-loved coffee beverage of a certain brand is a joke. Furthermore, using this phrase demeans individuals who identify with a certain sex, gender, or ethnic color no differently than racial slang or terms considered blasphemous in this culture.

After thinking this process through more, I asked one of my friends if she’d had one of the well-loved PSLs this season. I wanted to know whether or not others thought the same about this term as I did. She said that she had not had the chance to order one, yet. After asking why, she explained to me that she feared the judgment she would receive upon ordering one due to her identification with both whiteness and the female sex and gender. “No, I’m not afraid to order one,” she said, “but I kind of cringe when the barista says my drink name when it’s ready. I hate walking over to the counter to claim it,” she said. 

I am in no way suggesting that all women that may identity with the term “basic white girl” feel the same about it, nor is this meant to undermine other forms of discrimination. It is, though, a suggestion to view terms used regularly in a different light, understand their potential for creating a sense of inferiority, and a reminder to drink that PSL no matter what others may think.