Story by Opinion Editor Grace VanHaitsma

The past few years, there has been a lot of derision over people being basic. People often are wary of things that are too popular or mainstream, such as Taylor Swift and Starbucks. It starts to become cool to hate things that are widely regarded as good. This is why some are quick to state that artists such as Beyonce are overrated. But I think there’s no harm in being basic. 

Things that are popular are often popular for a reason: because they’re good. I love Starbucks, Beyonce and Harry Styles. I don’t think we should have a need to defend the things that we like-whether basic or not. In addition, being basic gives you common interests with more people, which helps build community. Liking the same popular musician as someone gives you an easy conversation starter. Communities are easily built when people are engaged in the same things. 

Oftentimes, things that are derided as basic are things that are typically associated with women. I do not think this is a coincidence. Teenage girls and women are often made fun of for their interests; they are perceived as “not serious” or “basic” because young women make up a huge portion of the media demographic. Instead of shaming people, mainly girls, for liking something that is popular, we should consider why they like it in the first place: because it makes them happy. There is no harm in enjoying something that brings you joy—basic or not.