For this assignment, I chose my friend Tom Seipp who I feel carries the spirit of Barbara Streisand and who I chose to interview.
1. What’s you advice on staying confident for the next generation who sees ridiculous beauty standards on social media?
“While there are many positives to social media, the faults of it may be greater. People can fall into mental traps after a simple scroll through their social media feed. Seeing celebrities look “perfect” can cause people to change their beliefs about their own looks. My advice to individuals who see the unrealistic content is: don’t try to be someone you aren’t. Most of the time, the people you see on social media don’t actually look like they portray themselves on their posts. As long as you’re satisfied with you appearance is all that should matter.”
2. How is rebelling against beauty standards a part of your life?
“Well, personally it may be difficult for me to “rebel” against standards, but it’s very possible to do so in small ways. There are outfits or appearances that are “socially expected.” If you take “risks” and have a different appearance or outfit than others expect you to, those are small ways to “rebel” against the standards.”
3. Who is inspiring you these days to love yourself and break free from societal boxes that you may have grown up with or still experience today?
“I have a good friend named Charlie who has showed me through his own experiences that it’s ok to branch out through appearances. He has shown me that even though people our age may all be wearing one type of outfit, we can “be ourselves” and portray a different appearance that we feel comfortable in. He has helped me break out of the “societal box” of the socially expected appearance and reminds me to stay true to who I am and can be.”