Source 2: http://provotips.com/2015/04/12/the-6-different-people-you-meet-in-provo/
Source 3: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Provo+All+Star
Source 4: https://instagram.com/provo_allstar/?hl=en
Source 5: http://utahvalley360.com/2015/02/14/dating-advice-provo-stars/
A large group of men age 18 to 30 in Provo, Utah are single-storied as Provo All Stars. These artifacts prove that the messages about Provo All Stars being sent show vapid, self-centered, pleasure-seeking d-bags. The media makes Provo All Stars seem like the absolute worse part of Provo, the reason to leave. In Brigham Young University's newspaper, one student was interviewed saying that leaving the All Stars behind is the best part of leaving Provo. There are no positive statements in the media about Provo All Stars. These boys are stereo-typed by where they live (Belmont Condos or Arlington), what they wear (bro-tanks and America gear), where they work (summer sales, Vivint), and where they hang out (hot tubs and Vasa). These boys are generally not shown as good people. The Provo All Star Instagram account takes pictures from guys living in Provo and labels them as All Stars based on their pictures. These pictures typically show boys without shirts on flexing their muscles.
The media presents the single-storied Provo All Star as the typical bro. All he cares about is girls, the gym, and his own hot body. No one takes the All Stars seriously, consequently they have a difficult time settling down into a real relationship and leaving the stereo-type behind. The Provo All Stars are single-storied as rich, entitled, white boys.
I LOVE this! I totally wouldn't have thought to do this assignment on a Provo Allstar, but it totally works. And you're right. They do get a lot of slack around here!
ReplyDeleteIt is true that there is a very local single story about the Provo Allstars. However, and maybe this has just been in my experience, but I have seen many of the boys that fit into this stereotype actually promoting it themselves. I have overheard guys at the gym joke around about being "total allstars" and even some guys describing themselves that way. Although it likely doesn't apply to everyone, I do believe some men fall into this category by choice and promote the single story all on their own.
ReplyDeleteLove that you wrote about a single story so applicable to Provo! I also agree with what Kylee says above. Maybe we single story ourselves, making it even more difficult to leave stereotypes behind when we want to change.
ReplyDeleteHaving been in the environment of summer sales for 2 summers now and actually being labeled as an "all-star", I think a lot of people are too quick to jump the gun and label a summer sales guy as a "all-star". I definitely agree that there are guys that specifically want that stereotype but only thing i would say is that just because you do summer sales and you have money to spend doesn't make you an all-star. I love the idea behind this post though. Great work.
ReplyDeleteHahahaha. Thank you so much for writing this single story. The sad thing is, is that maybe some of these All-Star guys do have great personalities, but if they wear a bro tank and carry around their Vasa pass like a badge of honor, people write them off instantly.
ReplyDeleteHahahaha. Thank you so much for writing this single story. The sad thing is, is that maybe some of these All-Star guys do have great personalities, but if they wear a bro tank and carry around their Vasa pass like a badge of honor, people write them off instantly.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you included specific examples. It was such a true stereotype, yet such a shame that so many people could fall under this title! They're not the worst part of Provo and in fact, just add to our diversity.
ReplyDeleteI always judge Provo All-Stars and I think it is because of the high majority of them that I've met, love the fact that they are an All-Star. That makes to too hard not to single story them.
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who lives in an all-star apartment, goes to vasa, sells pest control, and is like the nicest guy ever. He treats girls well and he's well-spoken and respectful. Glad this single story was addressed.
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