Stop Calling People VSCO Girls!
photo courtesy of pxhere.com
No one really knows where the term originated, all we know is that it needs to end, now. In case you live under a rock, “VSCO Girl” is the terminology used to describe a female who fully embodies the essence of the photo-editing app, VSCO. The term first derived from the app TikTok—don’t even get us started on that shit show —and from then on, exploded into memes onto every single social platform. Now, suddenly anyone who happens to enjoy filtering their photos, wears a yellow scrunchie, and carries a hydro flask is instantly given this label: VSCO girl.
But, can we recognize and acknowledge how insulting this term is? From a distance, it may seem like just a silly name to throw around to poke fun at friends or use as an easy costume for Halloween. But “VSCO girl” has begun to impeach on our individuality as human beings. Women don’t want to be told they are just like every other girl. This is 2019. Treat women as individuals, or sit the hell down.
The problem is that this mainstream term is making women feel like they are easily categorized, like their personality is so #basic, it could be dissected to just eight letters. But we are tired of feeling restricted by this distasteful label. We should be able to wear low top vans, shop at Ron Jon, and take photos with our polaroid cameras without feeling like we are copying every other girl in the world. Every girl wants to feel unique. Every girl is unique. But “VSCO girl” refuses to account for this.
The rage women are beginning to associate with the term “VSCO girl” is very similar to the feelings we get when we are told a very ~special~ compliment. You know, the one that goes like this: “You’re not like other girls,” *cue gagging*.
We bet you can picture it: It’s a Friday night, you guys are sitting in the front of his Subaru with the engine running. Khalid, or some other extremely stereotypical artist, is playing in the background. He looks at you, his weird beard stubble glistening in the light coming from the 7/11, and lets those fateful words roll off his lips, “You’re not like other girls.”
It’s simple - you’re not as dramatic. You are chill and not like other girls, “Cuz all other girls are over-obsessive, materialistic feminazis.” He’s basically saying, “I hate women… just not you.” Like, what? That compliment isn’t even a compliment. It’s more like a backwards insult and a stab in the back to women everywhere. Putting down other women just to “raise” one up is not empowering. It’s completely derogatory. Women are supporting women now, didn’t you hear?
What the label “VSCO girl” and this disgusting ‘compliment’ have in common is their utter disrespect for women’s value. We are not all the same! We are different. We are our OWN SELVES. Everyone, men and women alike, need to take a fucking note.