Perception vs. Reality

I rarely cry while watching Youtube. The other day I teared up though, while watching a clip from the show “Britain's Got Talent.” The contestant Susan Boyle blew judges and audience members away with her stunning singing voice. Everyone was especially surprised though, because Miss Boyle does not look anything like a celebrity (aspiring or other). She is not quite on the same planet as the Hollywood ideal. This normal looking, middle-aged woman was harshly viewed as frumpy and embarrassingly unattractive. So when she opened up her mouth and sang with the voice of an angel people were shocked.

I feel a glimmer of hope as I watch the cynical shallow standard of the media being exposed for what it is, even if only slightly. My brother pointed out to me the other day, however, that Miss Boyle is still only being appreciated because of her skill, her performance. She would unfortunately not be seen as a special and valuable person by the judges and audience if she were simply frumpy and had a bad voice. She would have been scorned and ridiculed publicly.

Still, a powerful moment. Check out the video here -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PPlkOyaqaQ