Redefining "scenester" stereotypes

By Maggie Beidelman

Now is the time to redefine the term "scenester." This doesn't mean the disillusioned groupies who categorize themselves as ska kids or concept artists. Nor does it refer to those who hold a strict allegiance to recent trends of emo music and bandanas.

But we can learn from these urban-dictionary defined people. When stripped of the skinny jeans with retro sunglasses and last generation's purple Converse shoes with gold laces, we are left with the bare bones of individuality-seekers. And individuality is what we need.

Instead of a person whose primary goal in life is to fit the category of one specific scene, I'd like to redefine "scenesters" as socially cognizant individuals who seek to be different from the norm -- not for the sake of being different, but to coax conversation, inspire variety and sometimes just to have fun. And I would like to encourage you to be one.

You're asked to describe a Santa Clara student. What comes to mind? No need to tell you; the image is always the same. Not that it's bad to be a Rainbow flip-flop sporting, dyed-blonde haired, color-coded outfit wearing, skin cancer-prone 20-something year old. But who wants to be a product of the assembly line?

What would happen if you suddenly did that one thing that nobody expected, that you were always afraid your friends would look at you funny for? Probably nothing. So why do it? Because we need change. In this culture-starved, overpriced California society, we forget that it's okay to wander outside our predestined lives.

Take it from the Australians. They forgo attending college for a six-month worldwide exploration, often stopping in a few countries for a bit longer to make money and see the rest of the world before they go gray. Middle-class American society's status of success follows these rules: Graduate high school. Go to college. Graduate college. Make a lot of money. Work overtime, don't take lunches, make money, make money, make money.

When is there time to discover who you are? On this route to success that our parents and peers prescribe for us, there's no doctor's note to excuse our straying beyond the norm. But there are many drugs that have been successfully tried without a prescription--embracing individuality is one of them.

Props to you, top-hat wearing man on campus. Your height-assistant makes me nostalgic for the pocket-watch era that I never knew. Well done, rollerblading guy -- I'm proud to be your eight-wheeling female foil, though your giftedness does outshine my humble transport.

It's cake to become the "scenester" that you've always wanted to be without the lame stereotypes. In fact, you've already begun. Welcome to the new Scene section of The Santa Clara.