What does it mean to be Hipster?
This question comes up a lot, especially at my school where jocks roam through a sea of plentiful oxford shoe - canvas backpack - sweater-over-shirt - skinny jeans - rimmed glasses - over-the-ear-headphones wearing hipsters. Is it merely a style of dress? Are they an object of scorn? Yeah, it’s fun to make fun of them, look at that dude thinking he’s so original with gauged piercings listening to Animal Collective, but everything is fun to make fun of. There is usually much more beneath the surface. A typical conversation between two hipsters usually won’t consist of, “Dude, did you catch last night’s episode of Jersey Shore?”, but more likely, “Do you think Occupy Wall Street has a legitimate means of creating institutional change and where is the cheapest place to get film for my new instant film camera?”
So then, what qualifies someone as partaking in Hipsterdom/Hipsterisms/Hipster Culture? Many have an array of versatile hobbies such as photography, writing, activism, enjoying literature, say Ayn Rand and Ernest Hemingway, playing a musical instrument, yoga, biking, - oh wait, many people take part in these things.
So is it people who shop at Urban Outfitters, listen to The Shins, have more lomo cameras than fingers, and can do hot yoga like it’s no sweat?
I have friends who dress exactly like the baby featured in the picture, however everyone has a unique personality. I think a hipster can be defined as one who has an overall liberal viewpoint and appreciates culture, style, art, literature, and individuality. Although it is quite ironic that there is now a stereotypical “hipster” way of dress and lifestyle, many “hipsters” enjoy taking the road less traveled.
And what does it say about a society in which people who promote liberalism and take part in activism are labeled as a group of people? Is our society so conservatively ingrained that these people stand out among the jocks and nerds? I’m sorry, is my scarf too mainsteam for the cold weather?
I personally enjoy being surrounded by hipsters. Chances are, I’ll be offered an exotic cup of tea and be engaged in an interesting conversation concering Middle Eastern politics and sex trafficking.
