Fall has come with a flurry of changing trees and a side of pumpkin spiced everything. With sweater weather also comes the ritual, one word insult hurled at those who enjoy Autumn: basic.
When used in context, "basic" means an essential foundation or starting point. However, it has come to be a word used to degrade a person, usually female, who enjoys elements of pop culture as well as popular consumer products. The implication is that the "basic" person is merely following the masses blindly and has no originality, so they subscribe to whatever is in at the time without a second thought.
Of course, it is highly problematic if a person only does the activities they do or buys products simply because others do that. There is creativity in each person, and mindlessly following trends can kill that ingenuity. However, people oftentimes enjoy popular trends and products simply because of the item itself. If others enjoy it as well, that is how the item is popularized and there is no reason for consumers to be ridiculed for enjoying something.
Consumerism is entirely based on what people want. If a demographic desires a product, companies will produce that product and sell it to those willing to buy it. Oftentimes, companies will work to brand products to sell the idea of a lifestyle that comes with the product. An example of this phenomenon is Starbucks. They are not just selling coffee: they sell accessories, food, apparel, and more to promote the idea of a comfortable lifestyle. People enjoy the Starbucks image and buy into it. As an unintentional result, the phrase "basic white girl" came to be.
The term "basic white girl" has become a normalized social phrase. Here is the first image that came up on a Google image search of "basic white girl:"
Most of the items featured are name brand products that include a Victoria's Secret shirt, Ugg brand boots, a Starbucks frappucino, an iPhone, and a Naked make-up palette.
These popular products are purchased by a large number of people and now comprise a stereotype. The brands are expensive and are frequently revamping to create new trends which fans of the brands are apt to buy. This way, consumers can keep up with the lifestyle. Somehow, it became a popular trend to call people who enjoy products "basic" and "basic white girl." The latter seems to insinuate that only people of a specific race can enjoy costly products and that people of all other races are excluded from this lifestyle.
A harsher term used in lieu of "basic white girl" is "basic bitch." It is a derogatory term for females who purchase and enjoy specific products. There is no apparent reason for this term to be used against females specifically, yet its usage continues.
Important questions to ask ourselves are when did it become acceptable to ridicule a person for partaking in something they enjoy? Is enjoying a brand truly the worst thing a person can do? It is time to stop using "basic" as a default insult and allow people to enjoy products they choose to buy without criticism.
