Collord – Just Girls = Just Getting on My Nerves

This Book “Just Girls” has really helped me learn something about myself. I clearly have some rage issues. While reading this book, especially in the chapter about the “social queens,” I found myself encountering feelings of disgust and resentment to the point where my annoyed grumblings were making my roommates feel their own disgust and resentment…toward me.

The point is, I had a really hard time relating to the “social queens.” Their idea of literacy is reading hypersexualized, materialistic, devaluing magazines written specifically for teens as well as passing demeaning or ridiculous notes about who likes whom etc. In addition to this, the girls actively try to deindividualize themselves and become known only through their group. The magazines and notes only help the girls achieve these goals by setting fashion standards and identities for them. Moreover, the girls use magazines as a social act rather than more of a literate act. Reading magazines is something they do together as an activity and then talk about the “woman things” they’re learning in them.

Personally, I don’t recall every having gone through this phase, though I wasn’t one of the “social queens.” The problem is, however, that these girls are seen as popular, and by that right set the standard for the rest of the girls who want to be like them. That just perpetuates the materialism and shallow ideas of what’s important.

The “tough cookies,” on the other hand, appear to have a much more confident and positive presence in the world. They read books, are focused on their schooling since their goal is higher education, and are generally more responsible. What this says about their literacy practices is not all that clear other than the fact that they probably stay away from the consumerist, fake magazines being pedaled to girls their age. These girls seem more “put together” in the sense that they are self-assured, disinterested in superficial things, and more focused on family.

Sadly, I realize I cannot completely blame the “social queens” for their behavior. Whether a product of nurture or the society in which they grew up, someone or something told them at some point that being popular, being trendy, and belittling their own “friends” was the way to succeed or be on top. Unfortunately, it seems to have worked out for them which just reinforces that idea. Where this begins to fall apart, however, is when they get into the higher grades and need to start thinking about their futures. Having never really been focused or oriented on their larger futures, this will probably be an extremely difficult time for them. But, I digress.

This book is quite interesting, and it certainly has an emotional impact on me. I’m looking forward to creating the trailer for it with my group and seeing what happens.