I am not a hipster

I was truly inspired by Carolyn Lipka’s article by in today’s Yale Daily News in which she comes out of the closet as a non-hipster. Lipka’s bold and controversial remarks have given me courage to do the same. I know I’ve been hiding this from my friends for a long time, but I think it’s time for you all to hear this. I am not a hipster. I’ve lived in the shadows for so many years of my life, pretending I was something I’m not. Before posting this, I notified a number of my closest friends and family with the news. This has been one of the most difficult moments in my life, and I’m glad you’re all here to help me through it.

I know appearances can be deceiving, but deep down I am who I am. Just because I wear Ray-Bans, keffiyeh scarves, fedoras, skinny jeans, Am Appy sweatshirts, and lots of plaid doesn’t make me a hipster. I don’t only listen to Pitchfork-era hipster bands like Japandroids, Neon Indian, Best Coast, and Ducktails. I also love As Tall As Lions, Jesca Hoop, Daphne Loves Derby, and Kanye West. And just because I think Animal Collective has gone way too mainstream doesn’t mean I’m a music snob who only like bands that ‘don’t even exist yet.’

Drinking PBR does not make me a hipster.
Smoking clove cigarettes does not make me a hipster.
Going to Modern Love does not make me a hipster.
Listening to vinyl records does not make me a hipster.
Using a Polaroid picture as my Myspace default does not make me a hipster.
Loving ‘I <3 Huckabees’/'Lost in Garden State’ does not make me a hipster.
Being politically apathetic does not make me a hipster.
Wanting to be in a relevant buzzband does not make me a hipster.
Wanting to move to Santa Fe or Portland does not make me a hipster.
Having a lookbook.nu profile does not make me a hipster.
Living the life depicted in ‘Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist’/'Skins’ does not make me a hipster.

I am not a hipster. I am a deep human being. I have feelings. I defy all labels. I’m just trying to be authentic. Just trying to stay relevant. Just trying to write meaningful blog posts in a post-meaningful era.

Carolyn Lipka, I am so proud of you. You are a true hero at Yale. You had the courage to stand up to society and say, ‘I am not a hipster. Mock me, taunt me, scorn me. But this is who I am.’ You give hope to us all. You can finally stop pretending to be something you’re not. Live authentically, Carolyn. Just be yourself. Develop a unique personal brand. Express your inner self. Wear authentic clothing. Listen to authentic music. Watch authentic movies. Be authentic. Don’t give in to the demands of ‘lamestream society.’ Don’t ‘water down your taste in order to conform.’ Challenge the labels placed on you. You are buzzworthy, Carolyn. You are a meme to inspire us all.

Faithfully,
Miles Wayfarer

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