From fashion runways to pop playlists, the 1990s are coming back in full swing. Digital cameras, with their film-like, retro-aesthetic photos, are making a comeback on Instagram. Grunge fashion, inspired by bands like Nirvana, styled crop tops, platform shoes, slip dresses, sports jerseys and biker shorts, are back in. Electric dance-oriented music, or recession pop, is seeing a rise in popularity, led by artists like Charli XCX and Kesha.
The 90s weren’t just feel-good music and bucket hats though. Back then, problems like the crack cocaine, AIDS, homicides, youth suicide rates, and urban crime surged. The rise of the ‘heroin chic’ models, who were extremely skinny, distorted how society viewed body image, resulting in fad diets and eating disorders among many young women. And the LA riots in 1992, sparked by the Rodney King beating, called attention to racial tensions in the justice system.
Many of these problems greatly affected minority groups and the LGBTQ+ community. In the 90s, being openly gay or transgender meant you were most likely an outcast, especially in high schools. Homophobia was common, even accepted. The word “gay” was often thrown around as a term that meant lame or uncool. Now, in a more accepting society, people are starting to use it as slang again, which raises some questions. If trends like fashion and music are seeing a rise, would it be a stretch to say that other, toxic norms may start to creep back as well?
For example, bullying was prevalent in the 90s especially in high schools, and brutal. Many kids would get teased or worse, and nowadays it’s even easier with social media. People get harassed constantly online by strangers. More recently, there have been riots in LA again. While not at the scale of the deadly 1992 riots, some have compared President Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to LA, to former President George Bush’s response to the Rodney King protests.
Overall, the 90s revival brings both the good, bad, and everything in between. Although painted as vibrant and optimistic, people often forget there was a dark, messy side to it as well.
It’s easy to idealize the world of the late 90s, but it’s also important that we don’t repeat past mistakes.