The only moment in my life when I am finally thinking clearly is when I dance. So it hit me, during Sundanz rehersal (that's the name of my professional dance company) what Deborah Tannen really meant in her essay "There Is No Unmarked Woman".
Being apart of the technology age and an era where "the girl that wears Abercrombie and Fitch is hotter an Ms. Target", I came to realize- while strecthing to a random hip hop song- that not only are women marked by their appearences, but everyone is.
What car we own, what clothes we wear, what we say, how we say it, what we do, and on and on and on. You say to me that there is more to life beyond high school? I say it's still the same-- we all categorize others, ostrasize the few, are in turn characterized, and are our own worst enemies yet we are constantly preaching togetherness.
We are not free to just be ourselves. Let me know of the day that I can proudly wear a Target bathing suit instead of claiming it as Hollister eventhough Hollister's tend to be tackier and more outrageously priced than Target's. Let me know of the day when I can proudly let loose my 'Shakira' curls and not worry that someone else's pin-straight bangs won't push me aside with the label as "unclean".
I say rip off those labels and tags and collars. Be in control of your own leash.
Better said than done. And as I said, we are living, breathing contradictions. Because I promise you, as you finish reading this, tomorrow you will apply your Mac make-up and your Dior perfume, drive in you H3 and look down upon those run-down '93 Hondas and smile. As for me, I need to iron my curls.
It would be so much easier to lose the labels of the clothing if so many companies didn't plaster their apparel with their names. I refuse to buy something that makes me a walking advertisement for a store.
I love Target stores. I don't necessarily have the money to spend $80 on a bathing suit at Hollister (whose clothes are not made for women or girls who have any figure) so I will proudly buy one at Target for $20 and look damn good in it! And I love showing off my economic prowess. Yeah, that's right, I got 2 pairs of jeans from Macy's for $30. Jealous?
Yes, we do have to worry about first appearances. But that doesn't mean you can't make a first appearance as yourself. So ladies, let those Shakira locks down, pull on your favorite pair of no-name pants (the ones that make your butt look awesome), throw on your Payless shoes and put your best foot forward (even if its not wearing Abercrombie and Fitch socks).