Susan Boyle
Dowdy spinster
Ugly duckling
Hairy angel
Those stinging public assessments of Scottish singing sensation Susan Boyle resurrected one of the oldest rules of responsibility—Don’t judge a book by its cover—and set off an ongoing debate about what judging others reveals about ourselves.
As much of the world knows, the unemployed Ms. Boyle—thick of brow and middle of age—has a voice that went viral after singing on a TV show called “Britain’s Got Talent.” Videos of her performing have since been viewed something like a hundred million times on YouTube.
But her sudden fame came with a discomforting level of nastiness about her non super model looks.
“Is Susan Boyle ugly? Or are we?” asked a British newspaper writer in the soul-searching aftermath. Why are we so shocked, the writer continued, “when ‘ugly’ women can do things, rather than sitting at home weeping and wishing they were somebody else?” Declaring that it was the audience that was “ugly,” the writer concluded, “Britain’s Got Malice.”
“What is it about this woman that touches us so deeply?” pondered an American writer regarding Ms. Boyle. Partly it was “the age thing,” she continued, but added that “we were weeping for the years of wasted talent, the career that wasn’t, the time lost.”
Experts say that our reactions to an outlier like Ms. Boyle are based on “the science of stereotyping,” which includes the propensity to make snap judgments. Our brains use stereotypes, social scientists say, because “often they give us broadly accurate information, even if all the details don’t line up. Ms. Boyle’s looks, for example, accurately telegraphed much about her biography, including her socioeconomic level and lack of worldly experience.”
But while some turned to science to explain the Boyle brouhaha, others turned to religion. “The world generally looks askance at people like Susan Boyle, if it sees them at all,” explained a Jesuit priest. “But God sees the real person, and understands the value of each individual’s gifts.”
Presumably without watching YouTube.
Tell us what you think: Do we have any responsibility to move beyond snap judgments? Is the old adage “Don’t judge a book by its cover” obsolete?
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Susan Boyle
I believe that everyone has the right to be there own person! We are all beautiful in our own way!
sharma Zotter | 6 months, 2 weeks ago
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Happens all the time.
True story: a few years ago, an old farmer came into the dealership for heavy equipment. All the sales people ignored him because he didn’t look as if he could finance a VW bug, much less a $250,000 piece of equipment. Finally, one bored salesman drifted over and talked with the old man. They picked out a couple of large pieces of equipment. When asked how he wanted to finance them, the old man replied, “Can’t I just pay cash?” and did. All those snooty sales people were done out of a really, really good commission because they judged appearances. Happens all the time. Show some interest in a plain Jane or James; you just might be surprised. We lose a lot by ignoring or avoiding the “books”.
Sandy DeWutt | 6 months, 2 weeks ago
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Suan Boyle
I agreed that we should not judge people by their looks. In God’s eyes we are all
beautiful.
Milly
Orlando FL.
Milly Marchand | 6 months, 2 weeks ago
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beautiful
I think my mom put it best-you’re not ugly-nobody really is. You’re beautiful on the inside, where it counts. And you’re beautiful to God, who sees you for who you really are.
Would anyone be surprised at her voice if she looked like a super model? No. Sad that looks should matter-I’ve known a great many people that were amazing people and the way they were beautiful shone out. I think everyone should remember that we are all aging and beauty is only SKIN deep.
Celeste | 6 months, 1 week ago
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Responsibility to whom?
The question is “Do we have any responsibility to move beyond snap judgments?” The answer is no, we don’t have a responsibility to avoid snap judgments. However, the lesson of Susan Boyle is that it is foolish to make them. You’ve asked the wrong question.
Stephen R | 6 months, 1 week ago
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Shameful
I thought the audience and panel behaved shamefully. Whether Susan could sing or not, no one deserves to be treated so rudely.
What they missed was the twinkle in her eyes, the warmth of her smile and her sense of humor before she sang.
Imagine how hurt she must have been, hearing how they all laughed at her and considered her foolish for trying because of her looks. I admire her courage for withstanding the treatment and still being able to sing so beautifully. Shame on everyone who is still commenting about her looks!
Norma Frost | 6 months, 1 week ago
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To Ms. Susan Boyle
You are wonderful you have a voice of an angel, you go girl. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and also only skin deep. Keep it up, Ms. Boyle. Britain loves you and America does too.
starla moore | 6 months, 1 week ago
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Responsibility to ourselves
The right question was asked. A person’s character shouldn’t be because of someone else. It may be commendable that you do the right thing for your wife or your children, but that shouldn’t be the only reason for it.
You are who you are when no one else is watching, so responsibility to whom? To yourself, because that along with other character traits defines who you are.
Todd LIllibridge | 6 months, 1 week ago
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hardworking father
To bad we are judged be how we look . I can remember several year ago we were needing beds for our kids which they were outgrowing very fast. I worked a 12 hr shift all nite and on my way home stopped at one of the furniture stores in the town which we lived . A salesperson approached me asked what I was looking for I told them . They said well we may have something in the back room you can afford . Needless to say I did a 180 and walked out the door went across town and paid cash for what i was looking for. I never stepped into the first store again and probably never will.
Mike Mcmartin | 6 months, 1 week ago
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Great.
Susan Boyle is a great, tremendous singer.She shocked the world by the very first word that she sang. As a musician and singer I summed it up in one word , “Great”.
William Massiah Jr. | 6 months, 1 week ago
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