How Harry Styles changed my life as a straight white male
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Harry Styles's music should not be limited to one specific audience. Styles is an artist who cares about his music and how his message influences fans to be themselves.
Ever since I was a kid, I have been invested in the music industry, becoming Elvis’s most enthusiastic fan by the time I was nine-years-old. It’s no secret that music is critical in human development as we use music to soundtrack the experiences of our lives. Music streaming is at an all-time high; Spotify reported “640 million monthly active users.” Music impacts millions of people every day. As much as I loved music, I did not fully understand the impact musicians can have on their listeners until I was introduced to Harry Styles.
Styles’ careful use of his platform to spread messages of kindness and acceptance throughout the world immediately resonated with me. I am using this as a platform— a vessel —to illuminate to my readers the profound influence musicians working in good faith can have on their fans. By exposing the audience to my experience, I hope to inspire others to connect with artists who impact their lives positively and encourage them to be a better version of themselves.
Through his positive messages and encouragement to be expressive, Styles creates a safe space for people to be who they truly are. As a straight teenage boy, this challenged the rules of expression I had grown up with. America’s habit of not treating biases before they plague the nation resulted in Americans sharing a picture of what a straight white man looked like and the interests they held. This box we are put in creates a lot of pressure to ‘fit in.’
Social settings like high schools are not forgiving places to stand out. For years, I hid myself. When I walked down the halls, it was almost impossible to distinguish myself from my peers as I locked the unique parts of myself in a box. It was not until I was exposed to Harry Styles that I began to come out of my shell. Styles is famous for wearing feminine clothing. Whether it's a blouse or a dress, Styles is unapologetically himself. This act of courage inspired me to start living unapologetically as myself.
As a result, I began wearing the clothing I wanted to wear. One of the loudest days of my high school career was the day I decided to wear flare jeans. I was judged and laughed at, and rumors about my sexual identity began to circulate in the school. I did not allow this to prevent me from diving deeper into my journey of being myself. I continued wearing clothing that excited me, whether or not people approved.
“Treat People with Kindness” is arguably one of Harry’s most positive and influential songs. Styles encourages mankind to push their differences aside and enjoy fundamental human experiences together, and he expresses this beautifully. Harry sings, “Find a place to feel good. Giving second chances, I don’t need all the answers, feelin’ good in my skin, I just keep on dancin’.” This line denotes Harry’s vision of widespread love and acceptance.
It’s undeniable that when differences are celebrated and used as a creative medium, beautiful, complex, and passionate art is created. In today’s tense political climate, “Art for art’s sake” (French philosopher Victor Cousin) is more important than ever. As the government continues to attempt to prevent expression, I am inspired by Styles' example to continue leading with love, being expressive, and being an ally to those whose voices are silenced.
Since becoming a fan of Harry Styles, I feel more confident fighting for the causes I believe in. I feel empowered to act against forces that restrict unique ideas. By first-hand experience, absorbing Styles’s positive messages and letting them resonate with me has helped me gain an understanding of the profound impact that kindness and positivity have on an individual.
As I move forward and continue trying to be the best, most accepting person to my brothers and sisters on this planet, I plan to carry these values with me.