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Monday, March 10, 2008

The Hot Friend

I went home last weekend. Just a short break from the doldrums of college life. Before my mom took be back to school, we stopped at a Dollar General Store for some snacks for my dorm room. We were about to check out when I spotted this shirt in the corner of the store. Sometimes I'm really glad I always carry my camera with me.


Asserting that one is "the hot friend" comes with some connotations. Being "hot" in America means, more than anything else, being sexually available. When being "hot" (or white, thin, and sexually available) is the ultimate goal for American females (you don't see many t-shirts that say "I'm The Smart Friend"), it's no wonder that so many of us feel inadequate, despite our accomplishments.

Thanks, Dollar General Store, for reminding American females that the content of their character and the depth of their knowledge don't mean anything if they're not "hot."
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8 comments:

  1. AnonymousMarch 10, 2008 at 7:12 PM

    one of my 4th grade students wore that shirt today, she's 9. I wanted to shake her mom and say WAKE UP...most 9 year olds don't buy their own clothes!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMarch 10, 2008 at 7:18 PM

    yes it was me!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMarch 10, 2008 at 8:26 PM

    Or you could look at the shirt and laugh at it. And when you feel inadequate it might be because Bill Gates has a Mcdonalds in his house and is worth more money than you will ever make in your life.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AmeliaMarch 10, 2008 at 8:58 PM

    Wow, Colt. That was really informative. Anything else to add?

    ReplyDelete
  5. AmeliaMarch 10, 2008 at 9:00 PM

    Hope you noted the heavy sarcasm.

    ReplyDelete
  6. KateMarch 10, 2008 at 9:47 PM

    Thank you to the anonymous commentor; we discussed the sexualization of young people on our radio show a few weeks ago. At nine, the girl who wore this shirt is learning that beauty is more important than intelligence, and that being "hot" is attention-getting.
    This kind of this sucks.

    Great post, Amelia.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousMarch 11, 2008 at 7:35 PM

    I wish I could be the Hot friend. Wait... I am.

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousMarch 27, 2008 at 2:21 PM

    Oh Geoff, you are definitely my hot friend.

    ReplyDelete

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