When you hear the term “basic,” you probably think of the negative connotations that come along with it. The word seeks to label a group of people, often young women, who like specific things or dress and act a certain way.
“The stereotype of being a ‘basic’ girl is just one of the many that have a lot of weight on sorority women,” said 20-year-old junior and CNU’s Alpha Sigma Alpha fundraising chairman, Beth Geiger.
So what better way to take back the word “basic” than by having contestants compete to see who is the most “basic” of them all in a fun-filled event entitled, “So You Think You Can Even?”
A total of 15 male contestants from a number of different organizations on campus will compete for the title of “Mr. Basic” and a cooler hand painted by the sisters of ASA this Tuesday. A twist on ASA’s annual Strongman male pageant, contestants in “So You Think You Can Even?” will be tested on “basic” and pop culture trivia, rant about something that they “can’t even” about, dance, and perform yoga with a twist. Contestants are also asked to dress in clothes that are stereotypical of “basic” girls. Brace yourself; this means leggings, Uggs, Lily Pulitzer pieces, wigs, and more.
Geiger explained, “We believe this event is an opportunity to use satire in an attempt to denounce the stereotypes and negative connotations surrounding our community. We hope that poking fun at something aimed toward ‘ourselves’ will bring the existence of stereotypes to light and dispel their presence and negative consequences.” There’s no doubt that this will be a humorous yet enlightening occasion.
Admission to the event will cost $3, and all proceeds will go toward the S. June Smith Center, located in Lancaster, Pa. and founded by late sister Dr. S. June Smith. The center is one of Alpha Sigma Alpha’s national philanthropies and serves infants and young children with development delays and disabilities in order to help them achieve their full potential and get them involved in their communities.
“Promoting respect for everyone is a cause our sorority is passionate about because of our involvement with those who have disabilities, as was seen through our joint ‘Spread the Word to End the Word’ campaign last month,” stated Geiger. It’s clear the sisters of ASA are willing to work hard in order to help others and remove stigmas.
“So You Think You Can Even?” will take place on Tuesday, March 31st, at 7:30 p.m. in the Gaines Theater. If you’re looking for something funny to brighten up your week or just to support a good cause, all while breaking down the “basic” stereotype, come on out. The sisters of Alpha Sigma Alpha are excited to share this unique event with you!