By Sunnie
I have been living out of two backpacks for the last six months. I have a difficult time expressing my feelings around some of the experiences I have had, but a conversation I shared with a Gen X mother of my Gen Z friend had some important undertones that I feel need to be discussed despite my discomfort.
In this conversation, we spoke about the use of makeup and its transformational qualities. I have always admired the beautiful glam looks that were posted for consumption on social media platforms by artists across the globe.
So when I was speaking to my friend’s mother and her response to the topic was “I’m not sure, I don’t like when women wear so much makeup that they no longer look like themselves. What if they go on a date and the man they are dating has no idea what she looks like without makeup?”
I was taken aback to say the least. I thought about that conversation in many passing moments after the fact, and beside the misogyny that laced the statement I could not see a reason to feel that way.
Recently, I had a conversation with my mother about the conversation and she educated me on the culture around makeup that Gen X was surrounded by and it brought me a great deal of sadness. Makeup was used only as an enhancement of natural features in day to day life, so to someone in Gen X that is not understanding of the use of makeup as an art or a form of expression it can be seen as flamboyant, over the top, or even manipulative. Though I am understanding of the fact that not all people in a generation perceive any topic with the same lens; I can see how prevalent this mindset is, since it has trickled down into Gen Z. Rearing its ugly head in the form of jokes along the lines of swimming on the first date in order to ruin one’s make-up. I am extremely proud of people in my generation for defying what anyone else defines as an acceptable way to express themselves. I encourage all people to explore art and creativity in any avenue that fulfills them, and I hope that Gen X and anyone else with these outdated beliefs can find it in themselves to get over it.
Sunnie is a Gen Z digital nomad who has been traveling Central and South America for half a year. With a background in African American and African Studies coupled with environmental science and sustainability studies she is passionate about social justice and the world that contains it. You can contact her at info@tncpnews.com.
The U.S. Census designates Generation Z as “the youngest generation with adult members (born 1997 to 2013).” #tncpnews
