We live in a very social media oriented world, and social media has become such a huge impact on the lives of so many. Many people use their platforms in positive, uplifting ways, while others use theirs in unpleasant ways. One thing I’ve noticed on social media is the crazy double standards that people go through, especially for their personal appearances. So many parts of social media deemed the European beauty standards ideal, and it can be ruthless for those who do not fit into that narrow category of social media’s ¨beauty.¨ We have so much power in our words and actions, and everything we put out onto social media affects not only us, but everyone who comes into contact with it too. We are incredibly ¨gifted¨ to be able to express our own opinions and thoughts, and it is only a shame that some people use that gift to only uplift certain people- ¨the pretty one.¨ While they fill some people up with so much love and praise, on the contrary, others are filled with hate and prejudice. These simple words from behind a screen are written to last in ¨deep blue¨ and will not fade from online or our memories, even though many perceive a delete button to erase the harm it has already done. 

But aren’t these beauty standards that drive so much torment and self-deprecation, all just a ¨myth?” Just a ¨widely held but false belief or idea?¨ Just a passing thought? It is. There are so many ¨holes¨ and flaws in social media, yet people take on these standards of social media, believing that there is only one right and one wrong. However, there are some things that have no clear line between right and wrong. There are things like consensus gentium, where truth is determined by the people, a system where a changed mind is as common as the clouds in the sky. In a world where people and things are all changing at different speeds and directions, can there even be a truth for some things? It just makes you ¨wonder¨ whether we, as a whole, can move past this stigma because ¨that was then, this is now.¨

We get familiar in a situation and accustomed to the same things, and although that can come to our benefit, can it really help us in every situation? Although familiarity can be a huge form of comfort for one, I believe that a change can possibly lead to an even better outcome. We do not need to stick to the same formalities to live life- there would be no progress in society if no one was able to take the risk for change. Without a doubt I can say that I am blessed to have been born in America, but that absolutely does not mean that we do not need change for some matters. Change only happens when people are able to take the initiative, and it starts with us.