Ugh, Sorry, Buzzfeed, Basics and Bros have the Ultimate Privilege
A Basic is the female version of a Bro.
At least, after some murky and conflicting origins, that seems to be the meaning we’ve settled on. The Basic and the Bro are both white, middle-to-upper class and straight (or interested in appearing that way and retaining the inherent privileges of being straight as best they can). They both derive a large part of their identities by adhering to and performing the gender roles subscribed by white, straight American culture. They see themselves represented well in all forms of media, and are expertly marketed to.
So this Buzzfeed article declaring that the Word basic is “casual misogyny” and “the capacity to avoid the basic — is a privilege.” Which seem like mind boggling arguments.
"Basic" can be used in misogynistic ways, but in its current meaning it is not of misogynistic origin. It is not a word used to describe all women. Plus, the group of people we are referring to as "bros" and "basics" are so adherent to their genders, that it only makes sense we would give them separate gendered tags. In fact, "basic" is usually used most often in purely misogynistic terms by bros.
The Bro and the Basic are also both the shapers and great benefactors of American capitalism and corporate marketing. Their tastes change slightly and entire industries pop up to serve them. See: gluten-free food, pumpkin spiced everything, white people yoga, etc. etc. etc.
Basics and Bros of generations yore moved their basic families to live in basic suburbs, and then chains of basic ass stores popped up to serve their basic ass needs and wants. These companies and their marketers were so, so good at meeting and anticipating their basic ass needs that they begin trusting these corporations so much that they literally made them a part of their sense of identity.
And this Buzzfeed writer thinks that benefactor of this inherently racist legacy is not a privilege! How does that even work?
Unless the last paragraph where the writer argued that being the ultimate target of consumerism is not a privilege at all because unrestrained capitalism is a flawed system that hurts us all and should be demolished got cut off at the end or something.