#Whitegirlproblems #Icanteven

They can be found in their natural habitat, usually at Starbucks ordering a Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino. Sporting Uggs and yoga pants with perfectly straight hair and a white iPhone 5. Overuse of the phrases “Oh my God” and “I can’t even” run rampant in casual conversation. I’m talking about the “typical white girl”.

The stereotypes of a “typical” or “common” white girl originated on Twitter with tweets about what most white teenage girls do such as @CommonWhiteGirl, as if to clump all teenage girls together in one big judgmental cliché. This particular account has over 400,000 follows and over 3,000 tweets.

When I first noticed the stereotypes taking over my feed, I thought they were funny, some more clever than others, but even so I had a few laughs. Soon the comedy, however, faded, and I was left with the realization of how sexist these comments were.

 

It’s unfair and inaccurate to group all white teenage girls under one label. Starbucks is not only enjoyed by teenage white girls, but people of all ages, races and genders, (along with the white iPhone 5). I don’t understand why it’s so casual to mock a white female for buying LuLuLemon or Uggs. They are both great products, and I shouldn’t have to feel like I’m falling under a stereotype just by purchasing one of them or choosing not to.  

 

According to Twitter I am a “typical white girl.” I own Uggs, a white iPhone, yoga pants, and I enjoy Starbucks coffee. I’m tired of hearing comments about me or other girls such as, “Oh yeah she’s so white” or “Wow, why are you such a white girl?” Excuse me, but there is a reason why many girls buy Uggs and iPhones; they’re practical and useful.

 

There are also Twitter accounts for black girl stereotypes titled @CommonBlackGirls that are just as offensive. But what I notice lacking are accounts depicting “typical” white boys. Where are the accounts making fun of boys for wearing Nike elite socks and Ralph Lauren Polo? Those similarities between boys are just as common as girls wearing yoga pants and Uggs.

 

The jokes have gotten out of hand, and now all I notice is blatant sexism toward teenage girls. There’s nothing wrong with casual jokes in moderation, but actually judging girls in real life for falling under one of the stereotypes isn’t fair. Everyone’s entitled to be whoever they want to be. Even if being yourself means overdosing on Starbucks or going broke on LuLuLemon, it’s still better than pretending to be someone you’re not.