Introduction:
- How many have you seen Scooby Doo? How many of you remember Velma from the gang of mystery solving teens? How many of you remember the integral scene that happens in every episode where Velma gets knocked over and spends the majority of the action patting the floor yelling “MY GLASSES! MY GLASSES! I CAN’T FIND MY GLASSES1” Usually this elicits a ripple of laughter through the audience. But is it really that funny?
- This scene demotes an intelligent, strong character to a comic relief. The difference between Velma as a comic relief and Shaggy is Velma is being made fun of for her glasses and is being portrayed as weak while Shaggy uses one liners and food to come off as funny. Velma is the butt of a joke while Shaggy makes jokes.
- This is common through modern day literature and pop culture.
Thesis:
- By looking through different lenses we can see the evolution of glasses from a stereotypical sign of intelligence, to an aesthetic making fashion accessory, to a universal sign of awareness.
Main point 1
- Corrective lenses were invented in the late 13th century and the eye glass came about in the 14th First used by monks and scholars the eye glasses became an indication for intelligence and privilege. By the 17th century glasses were a beacon for old age and invalidness. However, through the increasing rate of literacy, the demand for large scale manufacturing of glasses increased. Thus, glasses became an integral part of society. They didn’t reach their peak popularity until the 1920’s when a Hollywood starlight was photographed wearing them.
- Centuries of ideas created a stereotypical idea of glasses
- Geeky or uncool
- Portrayal on TV and movies
- Circle back to Velma’s example
- Ugly duckling to swan transformation of a geek results in no glasses
- Scientific proof of interviewees doing better because they wear glasses
- Hitler wore glasses to read but those pictures were censored by the Nazi part. They feared he would be viewed as weak because of his glasses.
- I went seven years in contacts. I never left my house in glasses.
- Models and actresses are never portrayed wearing glasses, 20/20 vision is what is considered beautiful
Main point two
- Up until recently, glasses have been seen as a medical necessity, but the rise of hipster aesthetic has changed the conversation and understanding of glasses
- Nowadays, go out to Forever 21 or Urban Outfitters and fake lenses are everywhere
- YouTube stars and Instagramers put on glasses some days as an accessory in order to elevate an outfit
- They now create a way for women to go without make up because their face is covered up.
Main point 3
- This ever-changing perception of glasses helps to illustrate our civic duty to become your own person, to see past biased frame of minds and to combat ignorance.
- It’s easy to follow the status quo
- Glasses are cool one day and the next they aren’t
- Don’t wear glasses, wear glasses
- Glasses create clarity
- To learn about others and their struggles
- The combat ignorance and prejudice
- Also, can create narrowmindedness
- Only see through your small frames
- Responsibility to not let that overcome us
- It’s easy to follow the status quo
Conclusion:
- Glasses do not define who we are. They do not represent weakness or intelligence. They are not just fashion accessories either. They are a medical necessity that thousands of people depend on. They should just be seen as an extension of your persona, like hair or eye color. They help us be aware of the world surrounding us, as long as you focus on the entire world not just the one directly in front of your lenses.
https://psmag.com/social-justice/more-than-just-four-eyes-the-hidden-psychology-of-wearing-glasses