To most people, when they hear the name Harry Styles, the image of a pretty face of a juvenile boy band comes to mind.
But if you look deeper than surface level, you can see how he is positively affecting a generation. Most teenagers and young-adults grew up with Harry Styles being a household name. He came to be someone many people adore and trust. He does not let this fame go to waste, using his platform for activism, to raise awareness for various reform issues, and to attempt making the world a little better.
Track ten of Style’s latest album, Fine Line is appropriately titled Treat People With Kindness. This is not just a title, but a way of life Styles has embodied and inspires fan to as well.
About the song he told Music Week, “Small changes end up making a big difference .It’s about being a lot nicer to each other rather than, ‘Don’t do this, or don’t do that, not this yes that.’ It’s just saying, ‘Treat people with kindness,’ you know.”
From a young age, the golden rule of “treat others how you want to be treated” is drilled into our kid brains. But as one ages, this is more likely to become a trope. To then hear this idea in media that is considered cool or trendy inspires young people to take it back into account. Fans of Style’s follow in the footsteps of their idol and take pride in being kind while creating a welcoming and encouraging environment for young people.
To continue, Styles is no stranger to the world of activism. Even his guitar is adorned with stickers showing support for gun reform, Black Lives Matter and the LGBTQ+ community.
This spring, he protested the murder of George Floyd without speaking over black voices. He voiced on his Twitter account, “Being not racist is not enough, we must be anti-racist. Social change is enacted when a society mobilizes.”
This was tweeted to his 35.4 million followers. Among those millions and millions of followers, there is bound to be many young people who found support in his words and those who he inspired to take action as well.
Styles has also been a force to be reckoned with in terms of LGBTQ+ advocacy. He proudly displays and dances with the Pride flag at his concerts. From donating profits from his Pride tee-shirt sales to the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network to assiting a fan in coming out to his mother, a top priority of his to ensure all of his fans feel loved and accepted for who they are. Seeing this kind of support from anyone, let alone someone as famous as Styles can be life-changing for someone struggling with their identity.
Harry Styles is known not only for his music, but for his fashion style. He constantly pushes boundaries, especially for what is considered male fashion. He often dons high waisted pants, bright colors, sparkles, mesh, floral, ruffles, etc. All these are often associated with woman’s fashion.
Styles exudes the idea that as long as you are confident, you can look good in anything you wear. He inspires people to break away from restricting themselves to gender stereotypes in fashion, and therefore in life.
Throughout his career, fans have seen the singer evolve. Starting with being seen with nails that streakily had paint removed, to only one finger being painted to both hands adorned with bright patterns and colors. This shows how as he grew he became more confident in himself. He now acts to inspire others to feel this way.
In an interview with NPR, he stated, ““These people just want to see me be myself, and I’m telling them to be themselves. And I just didn’t want to be a hypocrite.”
Everyone has a celebrity they idolize with while growing up, or even as an adult. With a celebrity is as conscientious as Harry Styles, it is clear to see how his fans will help the world become a better, more understanding place as he is inspiring an age of inclusivity.
Photos: Her Campus Media