Messenger Bags: Different for the sake of being different

The messenger bag was originally used by postal workers, bicycle couriers, and even as far back as Pony Express riders. It was used primarily because it easily allowed those workers access into the contents of their bag. In the case of bike couriers, this proved very useful, as the worker could deliver newspapers and other items while still riding their bike.

The messenger bag falls into the larger system of ‘bags’. Other objects that fall into this category include purses and backpacks. The use of messenger bags by students has become popular in recent years, with some students opting to use a messenger bag over a backpack. I wonder why this has become the case, however, as backpacks perform the same primary function that messenger bags do: carrying one’s belongings. Surely the majority of students in college now had backpacks to carry their books in high school, so there is no imminent need for a messenger bag in college. Most students that have messenger bags in college don’t ride bikes, so there is no need for the ability to dispose of the bag’s items quickly while still riding a bike. Also, messenger bags distribute their weight unevenly, making them a possible health risk and inferior to backpacks in this respect.

Students that use messenger bags feel as if they must stand out from the crowd by using an object that is different from the norm. However, this object provides no functional advantages over a backpack, and ultimately becomes a useless purchase on the part of the student.

Paper 1 Thesis Statement

When a person puts on a replica of a professional sports jersey, they sacrifice their own identity for the opportunity to be linked to the glory and fame of a professional athlete.

It Runs In The Family

Motorcycles have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My grandfather used to have an old Harley Davidson, and my father grew up riding many different bikes, including Bridgestones, Hondas, and Kawasakis. By the time my brother and I were old enough to ride, my father already had some bikes for us to use. They were old Bridgestones that he had found on eBay and he fixed them up for us. We spent a lot of time with them, but eventually we wanted something a little bigger and a little faster. We both bought sportbikes (motorcycles similar to those used in races) from local dealers; a Honda CBR for my brother and a Kawasaki Ninja for me.

For me, my motorcycle is not just a means of transportation. It is a symbol that shows the bond that I share with my father, brother, and anyone else that rides. It is something that makes me different from a lot of people, and yet allows me to be included in a larger cultural group, providing me with a unique identity.