Ever heard the phrase "don't judge a book by it's cover?"

In the last few years, the term "basic white girl" has become a regular in college conversations, and "basic" has become a derogatory term for anyone conforming to standards, or looking like they do. The 'basic white girl' syndrome is spreading. People are cracking jokes left and right, and we must realize that there is a difference between liking something because everyone else likes it and liking something for yourself. We see a group of girls all wearing the same thing, and we immediately write them off as an army of basics clad in the "white girl uniform." Mistake number one.

Sure, some of these sightings may be a group of so-called "basics", but even if we think that, we don't know it for a fact, because being "basic" isn't actually real. It's a term we use to judge someone for liking things that many other people like. It's a classic case of assumption, one that we all fall prey to. We love to label people. We see piercings, and we think that someone is a troublemaker. We see high-waisted shorts and crop tops, and we automatically assume that they will be an annoying white girl stereotype.

Just because people like similar things, they are often categorized as "basic." I've found this to be especially true on college campuses. Being a girl in college is exhausting. Being a girl in general is exhausting. If you like to wear cute girly clothes, you're basic. If you are in a sorority, or like to take group pictures with your friends, you're basic. If you like Starbucks, you're 100 percent basic.

Let people like the things they like. We cannot keep putting people in boxes just because they like things that many people also like. I personally know girls who rock high-waisted shorts and sip Starbucks but also are some of the most intelligent people I know. If you spoke to them, you could have amazing conversations on any given topic.

We can't judge on appearances. They are more than their stereotype. Being basic is not a term that we should use to shove aside, insult, or demean people. Being a basic white girl is a state of mind, not a type of person, and not something that we should limit ourselves, or anyone else to.

There are times when I find myself adhering to the stereotype, but just liking things that other people also enjoy does not make me basic. I like to drink iced coffee drinks, and I like to wear Uggs; because, in case nobody has figured it out yet, Uggs are like a soft cloud on your feet. But I would rather jam out to some old school jazz (Beyonce may be all of your queens, Ella Fitzgerald is mine) than some pop song about going "up at the club" (disclaimer: this article is written by a ninety year old woman.) And the same goes for all the other ladies around me being subjected to this demeaning generalization. Don't let anyone tell you that you are basic, or that you are conforming to the norm.You are who you are.