A not-so skewed view: Value people for who they are

In light of Gideon Yago's recent visit to campus, I decided to write about the one major thing that dominated his presentation: consumerism. People are being mindless drones as they buy whatever is on television. Let's sidetrack for a minute into the wonderful world of television. Now, I like a good TV show, not reality TV mind you, I think that reality TV is the farthest thing from actual reality. Those shows are so staged and mixed around; they hardly ever resemble the truth. But TV can be entertaining and a nice distraction. But when you watch so much television that you end up buying everything you see on the commercials, something's wrong.

I have a style all my own, and I don't let what's on TV influence what I wear and how I represent myself. I can complain about the big industries all I want, how they try to kill our individuality and turn us all into the same person. But then again, I just bought a bag from American Eagle, not because it's American Eagle, but because it had polka dots on it and anyone who knows me, knows that I love polka dots. I didn't buy it for the label and I didn't buy it for the "cool points." I buy things because I like them, not because someone told me to. I think that America's youth is suffering from a shortage of self expression. The 'cool' look is to look like you just came out of a Gap ad.

Now, don't think that I in any way support the people who dress 'alternatively' and buy their clothes from Hot Topic. Did you know that the Gap actually owns Hot Topic? So much for rebelling against the machine.

Instead of being a cookie cutter image of what advertisers want you to be, just be yourself. Make a style that is all your own. Not everyone likes my style and at times I can guarantee that it doesn't work at all. I also don't actively try to be different and alternative; in fact, I don't consider myself to be alternative at all. I'm just me. That's what I've always been and that's what I'll always be. I'm not better than anyone else and no one's better than me, we're just different. That's the thing that makes people amazing. We are all so different and we should be. I value people fir their individuality. I don't look for people who are exactly like me. I don't like looking at someone who owns the same clothes or has the same ideals.

As a disclaimer, although a little late, I'm not saying that all the people who shop at the Gap are mindless drones, but some of them are. Ask yourself why you shop where you shop and wear what you wear. Is it because you really like it, or is it because it's what you're supposed to like?