Shhh! My Style is Talking!

Your style is talking about you. What’s it saying? The 1960’s earrings style screamed rebellion and trite, but today’s fashion steps away from that trend, lending itself to inimitability in an evolving, not rebellious, culture.

Teens experiment with new fashions and gain a sense of their identity; political turmoil was an impetus for fashion change in the sixties. Throughout this time, “changes associated with women empowerment, various issues relating to human rights and racial equality were reflected in the acceptance” of what was once deemed extraneous fashions (1960’s Hippie Fashions). Earrings not only provided a sense of style to a woman’s outfit, but part of her inner rebel and identity that she cautiously crafted. The fashion transformed from conservative, an added flair to accentuate a woman’s dress, to a freeing style, expressing the inner beauty of a woman on the outside.

The earring fashion is now more representative rather than rebellious. Earrings represent a person’s style, revealing an inkling of personality without ever saying a word. Men and women alike have adopted the earring fashion to spotlight their outfits and their personality. There are the small pearls, conveying the message of class and sophistication; the large hoops demonstrate the glamorous, trendy style; gauges give indications of delinquency and a “punk” type of style.  

Today’s society introduces an array of fashions that are acceptable because of the welcoming society and the cultural diversity that America offers, not because of political rebellion. Earrings are a form of creative expression and can be a fun craft project, truly revealing the creator. Because today’s fashion sense follows that of the sixties, evolving from the incautious, commonplace earrings to ultimate creativity and freedom to styles, it conveys the idea that society is open to ideas that sway from the “norm,” and tolerant of differences; earring styles merely one example.

Ranging from the primitive fashion trends of Lady Gaga to the quaint, professional style of Laura Bush, today’s culture accepts all styles. Will you follow the trend or will you craft your own style? Either way, your style speaks for you; the world is your audience.

Word Count: 349

Eccentric, Expressing, Encompassing--Earring Fashions

A 1960's style, demonstrating the fashion
of over-sized earrings.

“The bigger, the better,” always said, but lacking clarity in its reference. The 1960’s earrings style followed “the bigger, the better” trend, but today’s fashion society steps away from that trend, conveying the message of inimitability in an evolving, not rebellious, culture.

The 1960’s holds a title for bearing rebellions, especially those of fashion. During the youth years, it is normal for teenagers to experiment with new fashions and gain a sense of their identity. This exact concept is viewed in the sixties, but because of political issues. During this time, “changes associated with women empowerment, various issues relating to human rights and racial equality were reflected in the acceptance” of what was once deemed extraneous fashion (1960’s Hippie Fashions). Earrings were bulky, providing not only a sense of style to a woman’s outfit, but part of her inner rebel and identity that she cautiously crafted. The earring fashion transformed from conservative, an added flair to accentuate a woman’s dress, to a freeing style, expressing the inner beauty of a woman on the outside through large, eye-catching earrings.

     Lady Gaga, an icon and inspiration
                 in today's fashion world, is prided on her unique sense of style.
                Sporting a classic earring style, Gaga shows that
                        it is okay to be different, giving women a chance to
                          express their inner diva and fashion artist.

Today’s society brings about an array of fashions that are acceptable because of the mainstream society and the cultural diversity that America offers, not because of political rebellion. The fashion sense of Britney Spears and JLO in the nineties sent the message to teenage girls that they could, too, be popular and beautiful by wearing earrings that screamed attention-grabbing. Trending from the earring fashions of the sixties, the women of today’s fashion-concerned society have adopted and added to the booming style of over-sized, wild earrings. Because today’s fashion sense follows that of the sixties, evolving from the incautious, commonplace earrings to vibrant earrings, it conveys the idea that society is open to ideas that sway from the “norm,” and tolerant of differences; earring styles merely one example.

Ranging from the primitive fashion trends of Lady Gaga to the professional style of Laura Bush, today’s culture accepts all styles. Especially in places such as New York and Los Angeles, fashion headquarters, anything goes, so break out the earrings, the bigger, the better!

Word count: 349

Twirls, Loops, and Other Forms of Communication

      Twirls, loops, with precise pencil strokes across the dotted line, I carefully crafted the letters into what seemed to be jumbled mess. I was copying my name, a miniscule task to a third grader. Yet, I was impeded by a challenge: Cursive handwriting. I was scolded for not holding my pencil correctly; for not remembering how many humps went for an “m” and an “n”; for failing to not make my letters with as much precision as my peers.

      I was determined to write something, despite how illegible my handwriting looked. Writing and reading always captured my attention; I attempted to fill my insatiable thirst for knowledge by practicing writing and reading. Despite all of the learning that took place to teach me those skills, nothing had ever rattled my brain like cursive.

    That Saturday, I asked my mother to buy me a writing tablet so I could practice what I was working on in school. Mother was pleased with my determination, thus we practiced all afternoon. With her help, I conquered what seemed mission impossible. Not only could I write legibly, but I crafted each letter with the exact precision I had once strived for. No longer was I burdened by the task of writing nor was I faced with embarrassment when Mrs. Fox would compare me to my classmates.

    Twirls, loops, with precise pencil strokes, I carefully crafted the letters onto the non-dotted line, reading proudly what was a legible piece of art: my name. 

Word count: 247

What's Your Secret? AMST Blog 1

Downtown D.C. near the Capitol Building, Pennsylvania Ave.

  “…as far as I’m concerned, I’m not here to live a normal life. I’m sent here on a mission…” (Howard Finster). Mission impossible? No way. Mission accomplished? Not yet. My mission is to help others express and embrace themselves in all of their uniqueness. I enjoy delving into the inner workings of my peers to seek out their secrets. Postsecret motivated me to see what people keep hidden away and to assist them in freeing themselves from their secrets.  And who am I, you inquire? Just your average Arab girl from Osceola, Arkansas. Howdy! I am the daughter of my Palestinian parents, fourth of five children, and a first generation student of UMBC. I am majoring in Psychology with hopes of pursuing a career in Child Life Specialization. My passion is learning about and helping others. This summer, I volunteered at the Maryland Special Olympics, an amazingly heart-warming experience.


Word Count: 149