Sense of self - continued

I once was set some homework in secondary school that was to make a presentation about something you enjoy.

Great!

Easy!

I was personally interested in subcultures at the time, especially amongst my peers.

I made a presentation defining several different popular subcultures, and the stereotypes associated with them. Especially as the territory for each group was very gatekeeper and anyone who was exploring themselves rather than slotting into the mold was deemed a poser.

I concluded with reminding the group that blending multiple influences and changing if it doesn't suit you anymore but I had absolutely no faith in it.

While also hugely conflicted in myself with my own identity, feeling betrayal over the possibility of being a hippie AND a goth, because never the twain shall meet. So I thought.

It came to questions and a classmate asked "if it doesn't matter, and anyone can be anything, then what's the point of your presentation."

I wasn't prepared, I got embarrassed, admitted i didn't know and sat back at my seat.

Over a decade later I can define that subcultures are interesting to me along with the various cultural, social and environmental influences that shape and change them over time. 'Goth' is a very different movement than its original roots, and where those roots actually are is easier to see, and admit. God forbid the emo movement in the 00s be told that they're unoriginal..

Just an extra thought for the day