Everything "Wrong" with How Boys Treat Girls

Long time, no see. Or read... Anyway!

I have recently  been tuning in to the new hit YouTube show BK Chat. If you haven't seen it I'll leave a link below but basically a group of boys and girls sit and talk about different topics such as sidechicks, cheating and plastic surgery. Take a look the latest episode and you'll soon see why this blog post had to be made. 

Yup. 

These boys are representing the male race. I'm so sorry. After watching these videos I realised there is a lot wrong with how boys treat girls. But don't worry because I am here to help okay, Auntie Bimpe has got your back. Here is Everything "Wrong" with How Boys Treat Girls. Also girls, don't think you're getting off the hook. I'm coming for you in the next blog post. 

1. Double Standards 

So to all these boys that are doing double standards and calling girls that have had sex hoes, while they have entered half the population of England and Nigeria combined, evaporate. Seriously, why are boys so praised for putting themselves into everything with a heartbeat like... Can you find a seat? Oh, and that's not the end of it because these same boys that are having sex like it's part of their daily routine will be saying I would never wife a girl that's slept with bare guys. Excuse me, your bags, pack them and leave. Then there's the boys who say that a girl's dress is too short or her top is too low cut so she must be a hoe. Right because clothing let's us know how many people someone has slept with. Olodo. Idiot. Is it your legs that is showing? Is it your cleavage that is showing? No? Okay then move your raggedy self along. These are the girls that you will be chasing in the club yet dissing at school. Let girls be confident!

2. Looks Got Them Confused

Now this next thing that boys do confuses me to the point where I'm about to become a scientist and do a study. These foolish boys will be saying rubbish like 'I don't like girls who wear too much makeup' or 'I want a natural women who doesn't get plastic surgery because if they do they're insecure.' Where do we start? Firstly, these boys will be the first to call a girl unattractive when she doesn't look like the typical beauty standard. These boys and their friends will have fun laughing at girls that puberty is still working on and go for the girls that fit the beauty standard all while telling girls they prefer them without makeup. You're lying to yourself. Not everyone has long European hair, small noses, light skin, coloured eyes or are skinny with high cheekbones. You ridicule girls that don't fit the beauty standards and then tell them what you like. Consider this though, no-one needs your opinion. Secondly when a girl wants a bigger butt/boobs via plastic surgery they're fake, but girls with flat bums and small boobs are not sexy enough for you. So, you make fun of someone for not having curves but wonder why they may be insecure? Boy, if you don't sit yourself down somewhere I will have to hurt you. While I don't condone plastic surgery, not everyone that gets it is insecure. Sometimes girls just want a bigger butt, lips, boobs, whatever. It's not your place to tell them what they are and how you'd like them to look.

3. Living in the Past

Here is something that I have to say to those boys who live in 1845 still and believe that girls will be cooking and cleaning for you. You gon' starve and your house gon' be dirty. It's 2016 my friend, and you'll be lucky to find a girl that will date your backwards self let alone be coming home from their job and cooking for you everyday. This woman that has decided to be with you is probably going to be tired from working at her job so remove the assumption that your wife or girlfriend will be cooking for you everyday. I'm not saying that this girl should/will never cook for you but don't say ignorant things like 'women belong in the kitchen' because women in 2016 don't play and we may just have to utilise the kitchen utensils. 

4. Alpha Males.

This is for the boys who are just plain idiotic. For all them boys who want look cool in front of their friends but instead end up looking like Donald Trump's bald patch. To the boys who want to talk a big game in front of their friends and then act a completely different way when they leave, disperse. Like, do you know how dumb you look right now? You'll be acting like a gentlemen when it's just you and one girl and then the boys come and suddenly your testosterone levels start raising. Just calm down and be yourself. Then there's the alpha males who think being a 'man' means they have to be aggressive and treat women with disrespect. You can't be rude to girls when they turn you down because your ego is hurt and you don't have the right to diss girls to get a laugh from your mates. If you wolf whistle and harass girls, think that your 'manliness' gives you access to every women or talk disrespectfully about girls who are confident in their own skin you need to fix yourself and stop relying on girls to stroke your ego because this is the face we'll make:

5. Just Plain Dumb.

Next up we have them unintelligent boys who find periods disgusting. Are you 5? What is 'disgusting' about a period? I mean sure, blood and vagina's are involved but do you really have to behave as if a girl is diseased when she's on hers. It's a period, get over it! Your mum has one, your sister has one, your daughters will have one and you need to stop making yourself look like a complete fool talking about 'That's so nasty' or 'That's probably why you're so cranky.' These are probably the same boys who think breastfeeding is disgusting. Really? You do know babies need breast milk to survive! The over-sexualisation of boobs has stopped silly boys understanding they are not there to be stared at or touched but are a means of feeding our children. So don't act grossed out when you see someone breastfeeding because your mother breastfed you and every women deserves respect and praise for literally keeping their child alive with their milk. If you don't give them respect we'll be making this face and silently judging you:

6. Words of Stupidity

Finally for those who happen to be lost, try not saying these things to women:

• How many guys have you slept with?
• Have you gained weight?
• You're acting like a bi***!
• Are you going to eat all that food? That's a lot.
• You don't understand, it's a guy thing.
• I don't need to learn to cook. I'll just marry someone who can.
• Are you on your period?
• Girls are always so emotional!
• You look tired? Are you sick?
• Every guy is going to cheat, it's inevitable. 

Just no.

But anyway, that's it! Make sure to send this to all boys who are in dire need of some help from the Lord to fix their treacherous ways. We can only do so much. This doesn't apply to all boys by the way. But if you do come into contact with a boy who shows any symptoms of behaving in these ways run for your life! Peace! 

Representation Is Important

Soo,

Have you noticed that most of the 'hot' girls in movies look like: 

And then most of the models on runways look a little like:

Oh and the guys that everybody wants to see shirtless are: 

They all look a little similar, am I white right?

Do these casting agents not know that people of colour you know um... exist. It's not a good feeling watching T.V. and seeing people who look nothing at all like you. When we're younger (and even when we're older) the people on T.V. are the ones that we look up to and aspire to be like, and it would be a lot easier if the smart. pretty, kind and inspiring girls and boys looked even a little like us. Think about it, let's take Elsa; the Disney Princess from Frozen, she was what every little girl wanted to be like as soon as that movie came out. Yep, Disney gave everyone another pretty, white, blonde, blue eyed heroine. Like there's not enough of those. It's not hard to cast minority actors. Seriously. If a young black or brown girl sees the pretty or popular girl on T.V repeatedly being a white girl with long straight hair, what are they going to think other than if I want to be prettier or more popular I need to look like her. 

This isn't just an issue with only white people being cast though, because when POC are cast usually they are light skinned or mixed race, have weave or European hair or are skinny with big boobs and a curvy behind. Shows like Blackish and Empire are amazing because they have minority cast members and writers but Zoey (Yara Shahidi) and Rainbow (Tracee Ellis Ross) are mixed race with loose curls and light skinned, and Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) and Lucious (Terrance Howard) again are light skinned. So if you are dark skinned with 4C hair and don't have a insta-baddie body then you're pretty much not likely to see many people that look like you on T.V. portrayed as the beautiful girl. That's not okay. 

We will not settle for being the token minority character, or the angry black girl, or the villainous black boy, or the awkward less attractive friend, or the pun of your joke, or the people that you will steal ideas and looks from. We're not here for you to benefit and us not to gain.

When a character looks like you, what they're saying is more likely to resonate with you.

When a character looks like you, you are more likely to find yourself beautiful and able to succeed. When a character looks like you, you are more likely to relate and understand their story.

When a character looks like you,  you don't spend your time wishing your features where like theirs.

We need more people of colour on T.V. Not just light skinned girls. Not just girls with 3C hair. Not just mixed girls. Not just girls whose bodies we fetishize. Simple.

Because this: 

And so...

We need more hot girls in the movies to look like: 

More models on the runway should look like: 

And more of our MCM's should like look like:

And to end on a beautiful note, remember: 

REPRESENTATION MATTERS!

                         

    

10 Shows You Should Binge Watch

Are you looking for a way to procrastinate? Well, look no further.

After spending all day and night studying for exams or making money at work there's only one thing left to do! Eat ice cream and binge watch all those shows that you couldn't while you were losing the will to live. And don't worry if you were to busy to make that list because Auntie Bimpe has only gone and done it for you. You can thank me later. Just click on the names of the shows and you'll be able to see the trailer if you need more convincing!

                  

• How To Get Away With Murder

If you are not watching this show, I already need to help you. How To Get Away With Murder is a drama series where five law students, their professor and her two assistants become entangled in a murder plot that will make you say 'Damnnnnnnnn!' This show will make you so happy and so angry at the same time because as soon as one crime seems to be solved, BANG! Someone else is dead and you now need to find a way to get your heartbeat to slow down. Again. HTGAWM has such diverse characters and great writing which makes it 10x better. Plus, three words. All The Boys. You have been enlightened.

             

• Jane The Virgin

This show. Yes. It has everything you need if there's not a specific genre you like. Crazy storylines, action packed mysteries, stupidly cute love stories and family filled comedy. It tells the story of Jane who is a virgin and engaged. Cute, right? Yeah, that's until a doctor accidentally artificially inseminates her. Oops. Especially oops because the doctor that artificially inseminated her is the sister of Jane's ex-boyfriend. Yikes. Need I say more? This show is a must watch!

• Fresh Off The Boat

Anyone who has immigrant parents will be able to relate to this show and find it completely hilarious. We follow Eddie Huang and his parents who move to Orlando from Chinatown and try to get used to the new things around them. This show will have you crying with laughter and wanting discover the magical things about your own culture. I'll get the popcorn ready.

• Empire

If you're the kind of person who doesn't mind breaking into a dance frenzy while watching T.V. then this is definitely a show you should watch. With amazing musical performances and tension filled scenes, this show shows us the lives of CEO of Empire Entertainment, Lucious Lyon and his challenge to decide which one of his three sons will take over his business after he is diagnosed with an incurable disease. Also his ex-wife the fabulous Cookie Lyon is out of jail and ready to take back what she is owed for taking the fall for the drug money that started the business. This show takes you on a roller coaster of emotions so I would definitely advise you to get in line for the ride. 

• Stranger Things

This show has got to be on your watch list! Seriously, if you haven't seen an episode you're missing out boo. Stranger Things is all about a 12 year old boy Will who is walking home one day, probably thinking that he was going to go to his house, have a nice glass of warm milk and go to bed. You know, as 12 year olds do. But then, boom! Out of nowhere he is snatched by some freaky-deaky-Mr Sneaky mysterious force! This leads to his two best friends going to find him, but first they find a strange little girl with extraordinary powers. Now if that doesn't sound like a show you would want to watch, I don't know how to help you.  

• Blackish

Blackish is a family show that every POC will be able to identify with. It's all about Dre who is trying to make sure his kids embrace their black identity in a white washed world. While being extremely hilarious it talks about serious issues like police brutality and the 'N' word and always gives a teaching moment to those watching it. The lovable characters and the funny story lines are definite reasons you should add Blackish to your watch list.  

• Scream Queens

Scream Queens is definitely Mean Girls meets Pretty Little Liars, so if you like any of those you'll love this! It's all about the Kappa Kappa Tau sorority which is led by the evil but fabulous witch with a capital B, Chanel Oberlin and her minions. In the show we rediscover a 20 year old murder mystery and the students being targeted by a evil serial killer who wears the school Red Devil Mascot. Each episode is laugh out loud hilarious and will leave you asking one question... Who is the killer?!

• Atlanta

Atlanta is a brand new show that you should 100% check out! It's all about Earn who is trying his hardest to be a good father and provide for his daughter while also trying to make his girlfriend see him as more than well... some broke bloke. How does he do this you ask? Well it turns out his cousin is Paper Boi an up and coming rapper, so Earn has to convince his cousin to let him become his agent. Atlanta is extremely funny and is way different from any other show that you will watch. The crazy characters and relatable life lessons are enough to make you want to drop everything and watch every episode. Like, right now.

• Queen Sugar

Queen Sugar is another amazing new show which is all about three estranged siblings; Nova, a journalist and activist; Charley, the modern women who is in charge of a basketball star and Ralph a father who is searching for redemption after getting out of jail. They have to come together and take over their father's 800 acre farm after he passes away. This drama series is filled with tension filled scenes and sweet family moments which you just have to see. Plus Kofi Siriboe is in it, need I say more?

• Insecure

Insecure is one of the funniest shows you will see. It's all about the friendship and crazy experiences these two black women Issa and Molly go through. No matter who you are, you'll be able to relate to the women in the show and who doesn't want to laugh so hard that they are temporarily are unable to breathe?

So there you are! That should keep you procrastinated for as long as necessary. And let me know if there are any shows that I should be watching. Now, get back to work. Or just put your T.V. on. Seeya!

#Goals

Welcome back kids. So there seems to be a certain word that everyone has decided to say after they see something they like and that word is 'Goals.' I always hear 'Oh my gosh, that girl is so goals', or 'Aww, that couple is so goals.' Well, Auntie Bimpe is here to break your heart. Because #Goals is #Stupid. Wait, I just used two hashtags in that sentence. Dang it, 2016. Anyway, after reading this, this should be your face every time you say #Goals:

Now let me ask you something. Have you ever seen someone with a flawless face of makeup or an amazing outfit and said 'Goals?' Or have you ever seen a person with a banging body or a cute couple and said they are so 'Goals?' Well let me tell you something, you are being very foolish boo boo. You don't know everybody's back story or the context behind what you are goals-ing. You don't know what that person did to get the way they did or what anybody is truly going through. The person you saw with the perfect makeup and outfit may have an extremely low self esteem and could be disguising that with their expensive taste. That couple you saw could have one of the members being abused or extremely unhappy but they're not going to post that on social media, are they? The person with the perfect body could be dieting, taking pills or getting plastic surgery to be that skinny or that curvy. All you're doing now is wishing those people's burdens on yourself to get a little bit of good. 

Most of what you see on social media from these celebrities like Kylie Jenner or Gigi Hadid is unrealistic because unfortunately not everyone can be born into an extremely rich family and do everything they need to look a certain way. Even when the people aren't celebrities but are extremely gorgeous and rich with millions of followers, it can be fake because there a filters, angles, back stories and personal problems you don't know about and these are not things that you want to burden yourself with. Comparison is the thief of happiness and if you spend all day saying Goals and wishing you looked like someone else you are just allowing space and time for your self hatred to grow and engulf you. The only parts of people's lives on social media that you see are the good bits because the amazing bodies and envious lives is their brand identity. If McDonald's advertised their food saying 'Ba da ba ba ba, I'm Loving Grease,' I'm guessing there would be less people spending their money there. Likewise if a social media star posted a picture in which people would be able to perceive them as unattractive, boring or unlikable they probably wouldn't have the fame they do.   

To finish this off let me tell you this, you can say goals as much as you want but if you find yourself wishing you were somebody else or that you had what someone else has, just remember you do not know the full story behind anything. So, forget about what everyone else is doing and instead focus on yourself and what you aspire to be. Make yourself happy enough to not want to be like anyone else. Because you my friend, are: 

How To Enjoy Your New School Year!

Yes, it is back to school time! What, it's not my fault, stop with the judgy eyes. Anyway it doesn't have to be all that bad. Sure, you're going to have to spend all your money on pencils and notebooks and brand new trousers that make you look like you're asking to be embarrassed, but there is good in going back to school... Somewhere. Yep, there are ways to actually enjoy school. Whether you're starting high school, University or are going back to the same faces and teachers, here are 10 ways to enjoy your new school year! 

1. Take A Subject You Actually Enjoy

This may seem really obvious, but I have heard so many people in the middle of their course saying they hate the class or that they're extremely bored. And if you're bored, you're probably not going to pass! Duh. Make sure you take some time before choosing a subject choice for Uni, A-Levels or GCSE. The more you like the subject, the better a chance you have at passing. Figure out (or at least try to imagine) what job you would want to have in future and at least base your choice on that. Don't choose a class just because most of your friends will be in there because while they're getting A's you're going to be getting your butt whipped by you parents. And if you're just starting high school take some time to see what subjects you're best at and go with that in the future!

2. Join A Club!

Take part in some extra-curricular activities because not only are they fun, you can find some friends who have the same interests as you. Also this way you have more time to procrastinate on your homework and learn at the same time. Yep, I'm great at this advice stuff. Whether it's cooking, football, book club or a sleepover club (Yo, who remembers that show though) have fun and meet some new people. If there isn't a club for something you like or are interested in try making one yourself because there is bound to be someone who shares your interests. 

  

3. Don't Be A Mean Girl!

Yeah, I'm talking to all you Miss/Mr Thang's who think being mean is the number one way to crawl to popularity. Don't be mean because everyone secretly hates you. It's true. I mean one day you're Miss Popular and the next you're being sent to the emergency room because someone punched you in the face. Why not just be popular by being the girl that everyone likes and wants to hang out with? School only lasts for a while and you don't want to go into the real world with no real friends. In the real world nobody cares who is popular and if you're mean someone is going to be mean back because they're not scared of you anymore. Just be nice! The girl or guy you're being mean to could be the next Bill Gates, Beyonce or Tyra Banks in the making. And who wants to miss out on being friends with a supermodel. Not me. They have nice clothes. Plus haven't you seen Mean Girls. This could happen to you: 

4. Stay After School And Work!

Listen to me! If you are behind on work or are struggling, don't go home and ignore it! Stay after school with a teacher or by yourself if you feel distracted by friends in lessons and work on what you need to do. The richest and most successful people didn't get there by slacking and going home to listen to sad music while crying into a bowl of ice cream and hoping that their grades would get higher. You have to work to get what you want, boo boo! I'm not saying that you have to stay until you are almost locked in (I have done this multiple times though. I'm actually friends with the caretakers) but even an hour of extra work can raise your grades. And while you're friends and peers are partying, you are going to be getting ready to make money with your amazing future job. I see green in you're future. 

  

4. Find Your True Squad!

Make sure you find your true squad! Seriously, drop all the people that are not making you better as a person. If you can not give a genuine reason for why someone is your friend then you need to drop them like a hot pocket. Especially if they make you feel bad about yourself, make you a worse person or cause you unnecessary stress. Two words. Bye Felicia. It can be harder when you're younger to make that choice to drop someone as a friend but trust me when you're mature enough you will realise you only have like three friends and will be so thankful for that. I do not trust people with more than 10 friends, like, you do not like everyone in that group. There are just way too many personalities and egos to deal with. Have your very close friends which are probably about two or three people and make the others your acquaintances because you do not need that stress girl! 

5. Boyfriends and Girlfriends

Now, hold up. I'm not saying that you shouldn't have a boyfriend/girlfriend. I'm just advising you not to have one if your grades are getting closer to the end of the alphabet every day. Anything that causes you unnecessary stress you don't need right now. If you find yourself in the middle of your maths exam thinking 'I wonder what Ashley is wearing right now' you need to tell Ashley to take their shoes and leave your head. Being that young, the relationship is not likely to last and yes there are some people that have been together since high school but look at your significant other. Can you see this person marrying you? Would this person be someone you would want your future kids to look and act like? Would you mother be crying of joy or of misery when this person enters their house. If all these questions give positive answers then proceed, but if you're scratching your head right now, you may need to let this person go. Especially if they are affecting your grades or your well being. It's not worth it! Do you know the amount of fioneeee men/women you'll meet in your life but you're dating this one who is looking like uncooked bacon. Puh-lease. Focus on your own self now omo mi. 

6. Find Your Own Style!

Bruhhhh. I can honestly say I walk into school and see every boy with the same hairstyle and the same exact clothes as everyone else. You know what hairstyle I'm talking about as well, the 2014 Justin Bieber. Google it. Yeah. And every girl has the same look as well. It's like, let's check Kylie Jenner's Instagram and find what we can steal today. It gets boring, so be different and wear what you like. Maybe what everyone else is wearing is what you like but carbon copies aren't cute. Make it your own so people know who you are. Yes, everyone may be confused that someone doesn't look like them and can still look BOMB but you're going to learn to deal with everyone's eyes on you and appreciate it because looking good is hard and clothes are expensive. Don't walk out of your house wearing something because Courtney likes this colour or Anthony likes floral patterns. Is Anthony paying your bills? Is Courtney going to give you free food because you wore her favourite clothes. No. Then wear what you want!   

7. Not Every Party

You do not have to attend every party or every event to fit in. Trust me. There are so many events that I have missed because I would rather just sit home with my sisters or go out with my friends instead. Is it by force?! (This should have been read in a Nigerian accent) Seriously, if you do not want to go, don't. Because all you're going to be doing is standing in the corner  sipping on some warm lemonade and shaking your head at this foolish boy on the dance floor trying to do the Soulja Boy. Don't be embarrassed if you repeatedly have to say no to party invites or school dances because you'd rather be at home watching Boyz n the Hood and eating popcorn. 

8. Ask For Help

There can be times where school or even things out of school can be too much for a young person to handle. So do not be afraid to ask for help from your friends or teachers. They can definitely give you some well needed advice rather than you bottling everything up to then explode and have no-one be able to help you. It is not a shameful thing to ask for help and you will feel much better when you're problem has been solved, I promise! With all the exams, peers and worries for the future things can look bad but please do not hurt yourself for a temporary problem that can seem permanent. Ask for help and you'll feel much better! 

9. Puberty Sucks, Huh.

Alright so you've woken up and you're looking like the mirror can crack at anytime. Pimples, crazy hair, and a bra size of 30A topped with your horrible school uniform would make anyone want to pretend to be sick that day. Especially when you get to school and Jodie is looking like she had a glam squad help her get ready that day. Like, are we wearing the same uniform because I'm pretty sure I saw what she was wearing in yesterday's Vogue. But listen, that doesn't matter! Your body and face knows what thy are doing. Let nature take it's course. You're young, beautiful and everything will develop when it's the time! And anyway, you don't want to peak in high school because once you're at the top you can't get any higher. So yes, the girls and boys that look like supermodels at age 15 will probably end up staying that way but you will only improve and be advancing in beauty and charm everyday. Plus have you seen the celebrities who weren't supermodel ready in high school, now! Like, hello! I would definitely want it that way.

10. Have Fun!

 So let's end this on a cheesy note! Have fun! Enjoy high school, sixth form and University because once it's gone I'm sure you'll want it back. You're going to meet
 amazing people, teachers and learn amazing things. Even though I will probably never use Pythagoras ever again, it was... Fun. Yep. All I'm saying is don't stress so much and take everything too seriously because school doesn't decide what you'll do in future. It all depends on the time you take working and making something and someone of yourself. Enjoy it while it lasts. And have a great new school year! 

The Disney Dilemma

The Disney Dilemma

Have you ever been caught in a situation where you're watching Disney Channel and you think, what happened? Yep, back in the 90s/00s we had such good shows that actually made us laugh and think about life but now they're all centered around unfunny jokes and stale story lines. Do you want to know why? Good, because I'm going to tell you. 

1. Dry Jokes

First things first, who remembers That's So Raven? Who am I kidding? Everyone knows that show and remembers how funny it was. Raven just saying 'Oh Snap' or 'Ya Nasty' after her crazy antics went wrong made little me crack up. Back then, Disney shows were actually good and the jokes were laugh out loud funny because they were so simple and weren't so predictable.

But I guess someone had the idea to try and step it up by forcing every possible joke they could think of in an episode. It's just so predictable I finish 90% of the punchlines before the characters do. Here's an example from the T.V. show Bunk'd where the female protagonists are trying to build a router: https://youtu.be/tuBcNT-8Lmc

Zuri: I'm the one that got attacked by that stupid hawk. *laugh track* He burst my balloons and my dreams of deli in my belly. *laugh track*

Emma: Well it was all a waste of time, while you were plummeting back to earth *laugh track* I heard Lou say Gladys controls the wifi router and only activates it on Sunday.  

Zuri: Great, how are we going to build a router? And if we did it would have to be about 20 feet high.

Xander (Enters driving a Truck): This tree is perfect, it must be like 20 feet high! *laugh track*

Well that couldn't be any more predictable. And what is up with that laugh track after every sentence or action. Someone spills a drink *laugh track*, someone sneezes *laugh track*, a character walks in *laugh track*. Like who are these people and what is so funny because I would really like to know. I have little sisters and I'm pretty sure kids are supposed to be laughing when watching comedy TV and that is not something I see.

2. Life Lessons

Now this part really annoys me. When Disney tries to make important life lessons, but it just ends up being a bunch of rubbish because it's either irrelevant to kids/teenagers and is the type of thing that would only happen on a TV show. Shows used to have important life lessons that kids would actually be able to benefit from. Lizzie McGuire was the show when it came to life lessons. Like the episode where Lizzie's mum doesn't want to buy her the expensive designer jeans that everyone has and instead buys her jeans from a discount store. Lizzie is embarrassed but at the end of the day she wears the cheap jeans and everyone loves them! This taught us we don't need designer clothes to look nice or be popular. Or the episode where Miranda develops an eating disorder because she is overly stressed and feels like food is the only thing she has control over but her friends help her out of the situation and remind her of inner beauty. So Relevant! These episodes were funny but always gave us life tips we could utilise. They talked about issues like racism, peer pressure, body image and more but in ways that we probably would in real life.

But now we have shows like Girl Meets World that do way too much. Like the episode Girl Meets Smackle. Watch this clip and then read what I have to say: https://youtu.be/rKeBqZyiUt8

First off the 'valley girl' voice she is doing and her saying 'Oh my gosh, I'm like so totally unprepared and scared' at the beginning gives the impression that in her world 'pretty girls' are not smart. Also 'When you get compliments from people who don't ordinarily compliment you... Packaging does matter. I wasn't pretty then I was.' Why, because you put on a dress, took off your glasses and took your pigtails down? Is that what pretty is? Because I'm guessing a lot of little girls who watch the show were made to think, that after your makeover you were beautiful and before you were not. It was a good concept to show how beauty isn't everything but was poorly executed. It's almost as if she is saying that if you take a lot of care with how you look on the outside then you are not deeply beautiful and that is not necessarily true. What she forgot to remind the audience of young children is that the other people's opinions are not important and what is important is your happiness. Not just 'Intelligence, Compassion, Integrity, Courage' like she mentions. They're important, but not as important as your happiness and you being able to look in the mirror and love what you see. Sometimes we don't need big speeches with complex words but instead just need to see a character getting advice from their best friend or parent which may be why Lizzie McGuire was so good at what it did. Also we don't hear or see Disney shows talking about real issues that affect kids everyday. Shows on Disney now are so censored and might be afraid to discuss issues like racism, self image, peer pressure and discrimination in fear of hurting someones feelings or coming off to strong but they have the responsibility to educate kids through the characters and story line.   

3. Breaking Stereotypes

Back in the day Disney had realness in it's shows. Like The Suite of Zack and Cody. They were two brothers who lived in a hotel with their single mom. We had Maddie and London who broke stereotypes unlike Disney Shows now. London, the Asian girl was dumb and rich while Maddie, the blonde was very smart and quite poor. Also the story lines weren't always about a girl character falling in love with or having a crush on her guy best friend. (This happens on Liv and Maddie, Austin and Ally, Girl Meets World, I Didn't Do It, Good Luck Charlie and more) Also in shows like That's So Raven, Phil of the Future, Suite Life and Lizzie McGuire they were always kind to their parents. Old Disney did not have to resort to racist or stereotypical jokes and characters to be funny.

But now it's like Disney is playing How Many Stereotypes Can You Fit in One Show? Take Jessie for example and Ravi Ross. We get an Indian kid but they really threw in every possible stereotype. His accent, his clothes, his apparent lack of friends and popularity and his pet Lizard. Now, it would be okay if this was all to appreciate the Indian culture but Ravi is the butt of every joke and is portrayed as a absolute loser. They also threw in the popular, pretty, dumb blonde, Emma Ross. The sassy black girl with attitude, Zuri Ross and finally the generic boy Luke Ross whose every joke is a fart joke and who is dumb yet a ladies man. Also I'm going to tell you a joke that was actually included in a kids show.

Ravi: Excellent choice, brother. India is a fascinating land of beauty and mystery. The jewel of the Near East.

Luke: That's a great opening for my paper. If only I had five to 10 more pages of that.

Ravi: Well, India gained it's independence on 1947. The population is approximately 1.2 billion.

Luke: Heh, I think I talked to all of them when my computer crashed.

Like, what did that boy just say? Is that not racist and stereotypical? Not every Indian works in tech support. Is this what our children should be hearing? Also there seems to be a lack of respect when it comes to the way parents are treated in shows. Seriously, did you see the GMW episode where Riley punches her Dad off the seat: https://youtu.be/nujcWnNA6EY?t=3m25s and tells her Dad's friend 'Don't be such a jerk.' Since when was this okay? If I hit my mum I would get slapped right back and open my eyes to find myself in Nigeria. Also in Jessie they are continuously rude to their nanny and butler whose job it is to take care of them while their parents are working. All the fat jokes and insults would not be something I would want my kids to hear.

4. Relatable Characters
Similar to what I've mentioned before, Disney used to have real characters. You know, people that could exist in the real world. With the older shows the teenagers went to school, they had normal conversations with their friends, they had normal lessons and they acted like real people. They were not an over exaggeration of just one personality trait. For example Raven Baxter was an absolute fashionista, you could say she was a girly girl. But she was also on the volleyball team. Also shows like Hannah Montana had Lily and Miley who were somewhat unpopular at school but were complete rock stars overnight. Hold up, I know what you're thinking, that's not relatable. No kid is psychic, or from the future or is an overnight rockstar but these characters were still relatable because they spoke like normal teenagers and went through situations that we did and we felt the emotions that they did in the episodes. 

Now the characters are just so over the top! Let's look at Liv and Maddie. Maddie is the Tomboy and Liv is the girly girl. That's pretty much all there is to them. There is no depth to their characters, they're just so predictable. The fact the Maddie is a tomboy means that she is on the basketball team which is fine but she is always wearing 'boyish' clothes, hates dresses and everything girly. Liv on the other had is extremely girly, loves dresses, is portrayed as an airhead. There is even an episode where Liv tries to get Maddie to be more girly and so gives her some heels to wear. Maddie ends up loving the shoes but instead of acting like a normal human being and telling her sister and mum she loves them she says that she hates them because I'm guessing she doesn't want to be seen as a girly girl or something stupid like that:https://youtu.be/e5_pTo9frG8?t=1m19s Also with the show GMW again, they talk in a way I have never seen a teenager speak before. It's like the whole show is around them being a dramatization of a teenager. Watch this clip from the episode Girl Meets Boy:https://youtu.be/fvA_eX1-PDw?t=9s Like really? We get it, teenagers use technology and their mobile phones a lot more than they did before but this isn't even funny.Disney forgets that teenagers do still know how to talk to each other and I know this because they throw in every joke about how now we have technology so we don't have to communicate. Yeah instead of actually writing so the jokes are funny they decided to make a joke out of sniffing boys because people apparently do that and aren't insane.

5. Lack of Representation

Previously throughout Disney we were able to find characters of colour that were not extras, or extremely stereotyped. Yeah, before we had a diverse range of people who were not inferior to that star of the show. With That's So Raven we had Raven, Cory, Eddie and Mr and Mrs Baxter; The Suite Life had Moseby and London; Lizzie McGuire had Miranda; Cory in The House had Meena, Mr Baxter and Cory, Phil of the Future had Tia. There was a lot more diversity when it came to Disney Shows and this is really important for young children to be able to understand you don't have to be white to be important, funny, pretty or popular. 

Then there's 2016. There are currently six live action series still broadcasting and making episodes on Disney. So check out the cast of three of the main shows first of all.

Well they all look very...similar. Yep, they're all white. Seriously, is this realistic? I mean sure the family in Liv and Maddie is all white but with Best Friends Whenever and Girl Meets World most of the main cast are the friends of the white main character and they're white too. Sorry, but in my school the white girls are friends with the black girls, the black girls are friends with the Asian girls like... Does Disney know that Black, Asian and Hispanic boys and girls watch their shows too? What are they supposed to think when they watch these shows and see that the popular, cool and funny girls and boys look nothing like them? Also Boy Meets World being a spinoff of Girl Meets World (If you think I thoroughly dislike this show then you would be correct) had Shawn and Angela one of the first biracial couples on Disney Channel but now with this spinoff Angela and Shawn are no more. Mmm hmm, instead they decided to make Shawn's new love interest a waitress. Now if you know Shawn and Angela's love story you know how angry I had to be when I found out they broke off one of the most real love stories so that Shawn could date a pretty, white and blonde waitress. Let's move on to the next three shows before I throw my T.V out of the window:

These shows definitely have a lot more diversity, Bunk'd only has three white main characters out of the seven but there's a problem. It's a spinoff from the show Jessie so they have carried on with using stereotypes to be funny. Zuri is still the sassy black girl, Jorge the Hispanic boy who is portrayed as unhygienic and who lies a lot, there's Tiffany the Asian girl who is portrayed extremely smart and overachieving and Ravi who is still a complete Indian stereotype and keeps samosa's in his pocket. Yep. I'm being serious. He pulled a samosa out of his pocket in an episode. I'm not joking. The white characters Emma and Xander are the pretty and popular people on the show and I just cannot anymore. The show Stuck in the Middle is something I have only seen one episode of so I can't really say much but I think they're a Latino family and there aren't too many stereotypes. K.C. Undercover is like a glimmer of hope on the Disney Channel. It's a black family that does not have to make their jokes all about stereotypes, it's just genuinely funny. K.C.'s best friend is white and her love interest Brett, was Asian. It's not that hard not to be racist and stereotypical. Really.

The end! So, am I overreacting or do you agree with the points I've made? Do you prefer the old or new Disney? Now if it's okay with you I'm going to go re-watch some Even Stevens episode. Seeya!