Susan Boyle: Dont Judge a Book by Its Cover
Posted: Friday, April 17, 2009
by Brianna Popsickle
Now the whole world knows who Susan Boyle is, a forty-seven year old woman who spent her life living with her mother and her cats (until her mother recently passed away). She sang karaoke at local pubs though her dream was to be a professional singer.
When she walked on stage during the Britain's Got Talent show, the audience laughed, the judges were cynical. Why? Because she looked like a forty-seven year old spinster. When she responded to a question saying she had never been married and never been kissed, the audience laughed some more. They didn't expect much from this outcast.
Susan Boyle is the reason you should never judge a book by its cover.
We're being bombarded with beautiful people on television, in movies, magazines and music videos. As a result we're being programmed to judge people based on their looks, leaving us feeling less than perfect and worse, inadequate.
There's much talk about racism and prejudice. Prejudice against Blacks, Hispanics, Muslims and gays; but there is another kind of prejudice that occurs everyday, Looksism'. All of us witness it and sadly, many are guilty of it.
Most are unaware they're doing it. For example, how many times have you seen an obese person eating ice-cream and think to yourself or say to someone else, "No wonder they're the size they are." You cast judgment never knowing the medical or emotional issues that have caused them to be the size they are. Given a choice do you think they would choose to live that way or opt to live life as one of the beautiful people?
Have you ever passed a teenager on the street who had piercings or tattoos, and you turned the other way, labeling them a freak? My son is the kindest most caring person you could ever know. He's had a Mohawk cut; he's shaved his head and dyed his long hair black. He has a tattoo and wants another. Nothing he does to alter his appearance on the outside will ever change the wonderful guy he is, but it will change how others perceive him and sadly the way he's treated.
I dated a guy who was shorter than me with a stocky build. I'm the girl who when asked to pick the sexiest man, named Ed Asner. (Remember, Mary Tyler Moore?) My boyfriend was a kind, loving guy with an incredible sense of humour, which attracted me more than anything.
One day we were walking hand in hand when two teenage girls passed by. I heard one say, "What is she doing with him?" It sickened me. She had no clue who he was, all that registered was he wasn't the stereotypical tall, dark and handsome guy. I could have felt sorry for him, but I felt sorry for her. If she was going to go through life judging people by appearance alone, she was going to miss out on a lot of great people. And what if something happened to change her looks? What then? Would it mean she didn't deserve to be loved?
Take a look around when you're shopping or sitting in restaurants. Take notice of how clerks and waiters treat people differently. It's annoying to say the least. I've seen clerks be cold to one customer and then turn it on' for others, based only on looks.
This behaviour starts when we're young. Think back to your childhood days in school. Bullies picked on the fat kids, skinny kids, the poor who couldn't dress as well, kids that wore glasses or had big ears. Bullying was almost always based on outward appearances.
What can we do to stop this unspoken prejudice? A good place to start is in your own home. Teach your child there's more to them and others than their looks. Focus on their talents and skills and the kind of person they are. Teach them to defend the underdog when bullying takes place.
Lead by example. Don't judge others. Embrace people for who they are. Who knows how many Susan Boyles slipped through the cracks because they appeared less than beautiful so their talents went unnoticed. Had Boyle looked like Angelina Jolie, she would have been discovered earlier and the world would have been enjoying her music all these years.
So do yourself, and the world a favour, look beyond the looks' next time you meet someone. Susan Boyle was a diamond in the rough waiting to be discovered, and there are millions just like her.
See with your heart, not just your eyes, and be amazed at the wonderful people who come into your life.
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Top-level comments on this article: (5 total)I think a lot of people have learned a very important lesson from Susan Boyle. Thanks for this wonderful article. I hope many people read it and take heed.Thank you David. I hope they do too.
Very nice. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. Well done!!Thanks for the comment Angelica. I'm glad you enjoyed the article.
Thank you so much! I have a summer essay on to kill a mockingbird (i know summer homework such bull right?) and i have to find a report from a real sight or newspaper about a theme of how appearences do not reflect reality, you wouldnt believe how hard it is to find a well thought out 500 word article on this, and your article not only helps me with my essay but i also loved reading it and think your great to spend your time to express your thoughts so vividly and connect them to yourself. Please keep writing great articles! thank you so much again!~GarrettNo problem Garrett, glad you liked the article. Good luck with your essay. (And yes, summer homework sucks.)
Brianna,
I wish everyone could adopt the policy of not judging a book by its cover.
Can you imagine how WONDERFUL the world would be??
Hopefully the story of Susan Boyle will teach everyone to look at others more objectively.
Thanks,
Dr.Bragg
WOW i now learned a lesson from this article
this is a perfect lesson for those who bullied peoples who is disabled or others who have bad looks thinking they're ugly
THEY NEVER LOOK IN THE INSIDE ONLY IN THE OUTSIDE APPEARANCE
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