This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at BC chapter.

Admit it: you’ve called someone a “dumb blonde” before. It’s ok, we get it. The stereotype has been around since the 18th century. So no, you’re not the first one to insinuate that because a girl has lighter hair and a bubbly personality that she is no way as intelligent as you. And truly, it does not even bother us. Your low standards for us pink-loving platinums is actually riveting. Want to know why?

Because being blonde is empowering!

(Empowered Blondes from left to right) Elisabeth Hasselback (BC Alum), Dana Perino, Amy Poeher (BC Alum), Megyn Kelly, Britney Spears, Sandra Day O’Connor, Princess Diana, Taylor Swift, Dolly Parton, Katie Couric, Hillary Clinton, and Marissa Mayer.

In the rather obvious sense, lighter colors (including our hair) stand out more amongst the sea of darker hair. Only 18% of America is blonde. And at BC, the low count of blondes holds rather true: in my globalization history class, only 7 out of the 172 students are blonde girls. That’s only a little more than 4%! In my literature class of 34 students, I am the only blonde girl. Statistics do not lie, ladies. Blondes are far fewer than you’d believe. But don’t worry, we do not mind standing out—it can be rather powerful. It is true that there is strength in numbers, and we, being the minority, have to be empowered knowing that we must prove ourselves against the norm.

When people are not expecting us to rise from the dark, we love proving them wrong. Oh, you thought it was cute that I knew that answer? Please, let me wow you again. Don’t try to belittle our intelligence… did you not see “Legally Blonde”?! Undoubtedly, people do not expect the blonde girl to have the right answer. It’s astounding, really. People actually write off things a blonde has to say solely due to her appearance—which makes being intelligent and right feel so much better.

But the stigma of “dumb blonde” truly does not even end at our intelligence. The stereotype broadens to the idea that blondes are more promiscuous and therefore more “fun”. It was our dear blonde icon Marilyn Monroe who solidified this stereotype when she starred in the film “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”. As such, being blonde provides an aspect of expected femininity. Undoubtedly, this is a sexist stereotype. Regardless, blondes relish this idea of being ultra-female. We’ll sport pink—that undeniably looks best when paired with blonde hair, and add glitter to things that are yearning for a little pizzazz. I guess it’s true, blondes do have more fun: laughing at how much y’all underestimate us.

We blondes should take note of the wise words Emmett from “Legally Blonde” told Elle, “You know, being a blonde is actually a pretty powerful thing. You hold more cards than you think you do. And I, for one, would like to see you take that power and channel it toward the greater good, you know?” Take pride in being blonde because you do can deliver a bigger wow factor—that just so happens to be pink, sparkly, and, well, blonde.

Web Source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blond

Photo Sources:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/04/30/180150731/yahoos-marissa-mayer-expands-parental-leave

http://rebloggy.com/post/film-comedy-matthew-davis-reese-witherspoon-legally-blonde/40023272175

http://www.biography.com/people/princess-diana-9273782

http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/taylor-swift-wrote-all-too-well-about-ex-jake-gyllenhaal-20121711

http://www.examiner.com/article/elisabeth-hasselbeck-tells-kate-gosselin-to-get-a-job-dismisses-plagiarism-accusations

http://danaperino.com/

http://spongebob.wikia.com/wiki/Amy_Poehler

http://www.businessinsider.com/megyn-kelly-ratings-fox-news-msnbc-investigation-nielsen-2013-10

http://top40.about.com/b/2013/10/15/britney-spears-announces-britney-jean.htm