Wondering why Harry Styles stans are suddenly flooding Twitter with the hashtag #RestpectHarry? Well, it looks like it has to do with groupies, fan culture, and some questionable screenshots.
Let's break it down: Twitter user @nomoresadstyles tweeted screenshots of tweets, texts, and messages that allege that a group of girls tried to give Harry flowers outside his apartment. These girls were, apparently, wearing lacy tops and silk robes and had allegedly plans to become the singer's "groupies" by finding their way into his inner circle. Harry, through his people, apparently turned the girls away, and now it appears the fandom is tweeting out reasons why you shouldn't behave like this (because it's invasive) with the hashtag #RespectHarry.
Now then, as to whether the incident with Harry even happened, it's unconfirmed. It's totally fine to post your favorite Harry GIF with the #RespectHarry hashtag (we love respect!), but if anyone is thinking of going after a fan in the name of respecting Harry, just don't. Starting an online beef that could escalate into cyber-bullying is not the job of even the most devoted stan. All we have is a picture and some messages. Let's not fall for an internet rumor just because it sounds weird enough to be true.
Furthermore, if you're confused about why a young woman would want to be a "groupie," or don't know what that term means, well, that's because it's complicated and often misunderstood. Watch School of Rock and you might come to the conclusion, like Summer, that they "are sluts! They sleep with the band!" Watch Almost Famous and suddenly groupies are beautiful, cool muses (who, yes, wear a lot of lace and silk). There are thousands of versions of the groupie story, some of them positive and fun, some of them tragic and scary, most of them, like everything else, somewhere in between. At the end of the day, it's a kind of old-fashioned term from a more chauvinistic time, when male rock stars were considered gods and the women in their lives were just distractions from the music.
So while we understand that there's certainly a vintage-y glamour to the idea to getting noticed by your favorite rockstar and entering a world of fame, we can definitely and unequivocally tell you: the aforementioned behavior is a bad idea. You don't need to emulate the "groupie lifestyle." It's 2017, pick up a pen and a guitar and write your own song, if Harry Styles is inspiring to you. And by all means, it's still completely cool to look up to a musician, just make sure you're doing it in a way that doesn't cross a line.
And, while you're at it, please, don't show up at a stranger's apartment looking for any kind of sexual or romantic relationship, even if that stranger is famous. It's on the wrong side of creepy, even if you just meant to be cute.
#RespectHarry, #RespectYourself, #RespectEverybody.
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