Susan Boyle has stunned the world with her unexpected, powerful voice on Britain’s Got Talent.
Judges admitted cynicism, admitted judging a “book by its cover” stating that this has been a “wake-up call”.
Susan, a global sensation, viewed tens of millions of times this week on YouTube, has become a champion of underdogs, the underrated, the unexpected. Like Rudolph who was judged harshly until he pulled Santa’s sleigh through the fog, she was judged by her physical appearance and didn’t gain acceptance until she proved herself with her voice.
This doesn’t sit well with me. What is the message? That people others view as less than attractive only have value if they have extraordinary talent? Shouldn’t all people, regardless of physical appearance or talent, be treated kindly, fairly and given the same opportunities as their more attractive counterparts? And isn’t beauty in the eye of the beholder? I’m certain there are many people who find Susan Boyle attractive just as she is.
I agree she deserves a record deal. I agree she has a beautiful voice, but I am saddened at the emphasis put on her physical appearance. I hope the wake-up call is not to simply avoid judging a book by it’s cover, but to not judge at all. Instead let’s wake up to acceptance, regardless of appearance and/or talent.
Let’s measure people by their character, a part over which we all have full control. In this, Susan isn’t the one lacking; it’s the rest of us who focus on her appearance, who are shocked that someone labeled as “frumpy” could have the voice of an angel, who are seriously lacking in character. Susan Boyle deserves all the accolades she is receiving, but she probably deserved them well before she ever walked on that stage.
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