I’ve been hearing a lot recently about the dangers of being and becoming beautiful. We have all heard the term “no pain, no gain,” but I think that it is safe to say that there is a limit to the amount of pain one should expect or accept for any sort of gain. I have two different sides to beauty in this post, but I think that its appropriate to show the wide range of affects that beauty has on the world of women.
1. I just read that the newly crowned Miss Puerto Rico Universe Ingrid Marie Rivera was maced and robbed in an effort to keep her from winning the crown (http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/americas/11/25/pageant.pranks.ap/index.html). Apparently the culprits didn’t try hard enough. Congratulations Ingrid! Ingrid’s gown and all of her make-up was doused in pepper spray, causing her to break out in hives multiple times over the course of the pageant. She also had her bag, containing other gowns, make-up and credit cards, stolen from her.
I can understand the desire to win, but these tactics are too extreme, even in the apparently nasty world of competitive pageantry. Why are women so dead set on hating each other? Why is it that whenever I enter a room with women inside I feel as if I’m being judged and inspected to find my flaws. As if, by discovering what is wrong with me they can feel better about themselves. Its absurd. We shouldn’t’ be our own worst enemy. We should be helping each other out instead of pushing each other down.
2. The search for beauty took another victim recently in the death of Kanye West’s mother. Apparently Mrs. West, who was 58 at the time, underwent plastic surgery to get a breast reduction and a tummy tuck (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21742159/). While in recovery at her home she stopped breathing and died while on the way to the hospital. This sad story should begin to give pause to people who are all to eager to settle their physical insecurities with the blade of a knife and a well placed suction machine.
I understand the unrealistic ideals that women face today in western society. We’re supposed to be these wonder women who can do it all in stilettos and a sexy three-piece suit. Heaven forbid we have an off day, or are born with naturally frizzy hair or small breasts. If you’re pale, go to a tanning salon. If you are over weight, lose it any way to can, even if it means you have to get some doctor to suck it out for you. God forbid we try to love ourselves the way we are naturally. God forbid we start embracing the beauty in our differences.
If you spend your whole life trying to change the way you are, or how you look you’re going to wake up one day and realize that you are a stranger in your own skin. Love as many things about yourself that is possible, and try to add a new thing to the list everyday. Don’t look at the girl next to you as competition, because you’ll only end up losing yourself in the jealousy and insecurity. Never stop searching for the beauty in yourself and others. Never doubt that you deserve to be completely happy with yourself, just as you are.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
I take major issue with your use of Kanye West's mother as an example of why people should think twice about plastic surgery. The doctor that performed her surgery was NOT a board certified plastic surgeon, and had many lawsuits filed against him in the past. You also ignore the elephant in the room! Ms. West went to a board certified plastic surgeon FIRST, and that surgeon REFUSED to do the surgery, because he knew she had a pre-existing medical condition that could cause her death. Ms. West didn't listen, and got her surgery done anyway by a nobody. So you completely mischaracterize the issue by saying, "this sad story should begin to give pause to people who are all to eager to settle their physical insecurities with the blade of a knife and a well placed suction machine." Rather, you should say that "this sad story should begin to give pause to people who are all too eager to settle their physical insecurities against SOUND MEDICAL ADVICE." Properly performed plastic surgery didn't kill her, her own stupidity and the operating doctor's ignorance killed her. While any surgery comes with risks, plastic surgey can be incredibly safe when done correctly.
I understand your stance on these issues. It comes down to the whole idea that society is dictating specific standards of beauty and unfortunately, consumers are eating it all up. Nowadays, plastic surgery is as easy as ordering food from the dollar menu at McDonalds. All one has to do is ask cash or credit? I think the plastic surgery insudtry needs to take a look at their influence on consumers and implement ways of better informing the public. Doctors like the one in the West case should not be able to practice.
Although he as a history of malpractice lawsuits, it isnt enough to revoke his license. (which I find ridiculous!)
I thought I heard something about the "attacks" on the contestant as being staged? or at least that they were investigating it. but i could be horribly wrong.
Post a Comment