The fucking Met Gala

Apologies for the language in the title, but this whole event really pisses me off. It's like the annual congregation of the world's most elitist, out-of-touch, and self-congratulatory individuals who think they're making some profound statement by wearing a ridiculous outfit and posing for the cameras.

First off, let's talk about the theme. Every year it's some pretentious concept that's supposed to inspire groundbreaking fashion, but what do we get? Oh, just a bunch of overpriced designer gowns that look like they were rejected props from a low-budget sci-fi movie. And don't even get me started on those who completely miss the mark and show up looking like they raided a thrift store in the dark.

And what's with the obsession with wealth and opulence? The amount of money spent on these outfits could feed entire communities, yet these so-called "celebrities" parade around in outfits that cost more than most people's yearly salary. It's nauseatingly extravagant and completely disconnected from reality. And then these same celebrities have the audacity to claim they care about the working class. It's blatant hypocrisy. You've got these celebrities preaching about social justice and climate change while they're sipping champagne and flaunting their outrageously expensive attire. Sorry, but you can't claim to care about saving the planet and helping the poor when you're wearing a dress made of ostrich feathers and diamonds. And don't even get me started on the guest list. It's like a who's who of the most superficial and vapid individuals in the world. It's all about status and clout, not about actual talent. Meanwhile, there are countless artists, activists, and innovators out there who will never get a fraction of the attention these attention-seekers get.

What about the sheer wastefulness of it all? Do you have any idea how much resources are squandered on this one-night spectacle of excess? From the gallons of hairspray used to sculpt those gravity-defying hairstyles to the acres of red carpet rolled out for these pampered divas, it's a grotesque display of consumption in a world already choking on its own excess. And let's talk about the so-called "artistry" behind these outfits. Sure, some designers put in hours of painstaking work to create these elaborate ensembles, but let's not pretend it's anything more than an exercise in self-indulgence. There are real artists out there struggling to make ends meet while these privileged few prance around in their handcrafted couture, treating fashion like some kind of frivolous game.

Let's talk about the insidious underbelly of the Met Gala—the elitist gatekeeping that keeps out anyone who doesn't fit into the narrow mold of acceptability. It's not just about wealth and fame; it's about conforming to a rigid set of standards dictated by an industry that thrives on exclusivity and exclusion. If you don't look a certain way, dress a certain way, or play by their rules, you can forget about ever setting foot on that red carpet. Let's not forget the role of the media in perpetuating this circus of excess. Instead of holding these celebrities accountable for their egregious displays of wealth and privilege, they fawn over them like sycophants, treating their every whim and fancy as if it were a matter of national importance. It's a sickening spectacle of pandering and propaganda that only serves to further entrench the power and privilege of the elite.

The Met Gala is nothing but a glorified circle jerk for the rich and famous. It's time we stop idolizing these overprivileged narcissists and start focusing on people who are actually making a positive difference in the world. But hey, what do I know? I'm just a mere mortal who believes in equality, not extravagance.

And what about the cultural appropriation? Generally speaking, I do tend to roll my eyes when I hear that phrase (white people wearing braids or making rap music isn't "cultural appropriation"), but here, it's blatantly obvious. Every year, we see these clueless celebrities donning traditional garments and religious symbols as if they were nothing more than trendy accessories. Take the 2015 gala for example where "China" was the theme; or the 2018 gala where "Catholicism" was the theme. Honestly, it's disrespectful, it's ignorant, and it's a blatant display of privilege run amok.

Whilst these celebrities flaunt their designer labels on the red carpet, countless garment workers toil away in deplorable conditions for a fraction of the pay, all to churn out the latest trends for the elite, then there's the sheer narcissism of it all. These celebrities strut around like peacocks, desperate for the validation of their peers and the adoration of the masses. It's a spectacle of ego and insecurity masquerading as high art, a far cry from the genuine creativity and talent that should be celebrated.

One of the other things that irks me the most is the way the Met Gala masquerades as some kind of cultural event, when in reality, it's little more than a glorified publicity stunt for the fashion industry. Sure, they might throw in a few nods to art and history to lend it some semblance of legitimacy, but at its core, it's just another excuse for the rich and famous to pat themselves on the back and revel in their own extravagance.

But perhaps the most infuriating aspect of the Met Gala, at least to me, is the way it reinforces harmful beauty standards and toxic notions of wealth and success. By glorifying these unattainable ideals of beauty and extravagance, it only serves to further marginalize those who don't fit into the narrow mold of acceptability. I also hate the missed opportunity it represents. Imagine if all that time, money, and energy were instead directed towards meaningful causes—like addressing poverty, inequality, and climate change. Imagine if these celebrities used their platform to uplift marginalized voices and advocate for real change, instead of just preening for the cameras and patting themselves on the back.

So, excuse me if I don't swoon over the latest photos from the Met Gala. While the world burns and inequality runs rampant, I'll be over here fighting for a more just and equitable society, one that doesn't worship at the altar of excess and privilege. Forgive me if I don't join in the chorus of praise for the Met Gala. Forgive me if I don't bow down at the altar of haute couture and celebrity worship. I'll be too busy fighting for a world where true worth is measured not by the size of your bank account or the designer label on your dress, but by the depth of your humanity and the impact you have on the world around you. While the elites wine and dine in their ivory towers, the rest of us are left to pick up the pieces of a society built on greed, inequality, and the relentless pursuit of status. It's time to tear down this facade of glamour and start building a world where true beauty is measured not by the price tag on your outfit, but by the depth of your compassion and the strength of your character.