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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Can't accept themselves...still
When Susan Boyle first came on the scene I was so upset by the way people charaterized her dispairingly. I thought who do these people think they are and who actually believes that they have the key to the “beautiful” club to disallow certain people they deem unworthy entrance? I mean, I heard some really ugly comments from celebraties, S.O. for one; and newscasters, who have people on their staff to make them look perfect everyday; before they step out on stage; that would not dare be seen without their make-up when performing. But here they were bashing a woman who had true tallent, that to this day makes me cry when she sing wild horses. They acted like a bunch of scared, insecure, immuture, adults that had not mentally graduated from high school! Out of all that outer “beauty” they were still ugly on the inside trying to make it into the “in” club. Never truly liking themselves for who they are and still looking to others for acceptance, hiding behind ugly comments against others to feel better. I was upset, but then I felt such pity for them. They feel like this all day long, year after year, never coming clean with themselves. Susan Boyle is “free”, you can see right through her soul. Then I realized, that is what they realized they are missing and covet so disgustingly.
Carol Dabbs | 2 months ago
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You said it Ken O.
I love the way you said, “When God says it is time to rise, nobody stops the decision.” That said it all!
Carol Dabbs | 2 months ago
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MS
THAT “OLD ADAGE” WILL NEVER GO OUT OF STYLE. EVERY TIME I’VE LET MY FIRST IMPRESSION GUIDE ME, I’VE BEEN PROVEN WRONG. WE, AS PEOPLE, ARE SO MISGUIDED BY THE MOVIES, TELEVISION, ETC…. THAT I FINALLY FIGURED OUT THAT WE NEVER GO WRONG FOLLOWING THE “DONT JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER”. FORTUNATELY, I LEARNED MY LESSON YEARS AGO, AND HAVE BEEN A BETTER PERSON FOR IT.
DIXIE L. SPRINGER | 1 month, 4 weeks ago
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Susan Boyle
We should, of course, never judge a book by its’ cover, however, our society is so very jaded. Susan Boyle has been given this angelic voice by the Man in Charge and she is so very blessed..we should all be so blessed. She is an angel.. I listen to her CD over and over and still cry. How people can’t see past her appearance and into her heart shows they don’t have a heart or have a long learning experence to endure. Susan puts her heart and sole into her music and God is so proud of her and I am too (even though I don’t know her personally).Thanks for the time to comment.
Priscilla Losito | 1 month, 3 weeks ago
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Don't judge another until you've walked a mile in
I am sooo proud of Susan Boyle, she has lent the first part of her life to be with,help, and comfort her mother. Now her life has turned into a BEAUTIFUL
singing breeze. As I write this I am listening to her CD. She has without a doubt
proven not only the “don’t judge a book” adage, but a Native American one,
Don’t judge another person until you’ve walked a mile in his moccasins.
I am so glad that Simon saw what a true talent she is, and gave her the opportunity to display that for us. Given a chance, I am sure there are many others who have something great to give to the world.
Keep going Susan!
Paula E. Provost | 1 month, 2 weeks ago
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N/A
It is amazing to me that so much emphasis is put on Susan Boyle’s appearance, instead of her wonderful talent and beautiful voice. When I’m listening to Susan’s songs, I couldn’t care less what she looks like….instead I focus on her lovely voice that actually touches my heart and soul. How many times can we honestly make that statement regarding most of the “more beautiful, younger singers, in their revealing clothes”; that they actually
“touched our heart and soul”. In my whole life I’ve heard very few professional singers who are comparable to Susan. By the way, another wonderful, talented, experienced singer, Barbra Streisand, wasn’t so beautiful when she began. Some would argue Barbra still isn’t all that beautiful, but few can deny how beautifully she expresses herself through her singing. Why don’t we give Susan a break and let her show us what she is truly capable of doing? Afterall, hasn’t she been held back long enough?
Judy L | 1 month, 2 weeks ago
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Miss
Susan Boyle I am very happy for your great success. You have brought much
joy to the World when it needed something spectacular in it. I thank you for the enjoyment i get from listning to your Cd. Hope there will be many more. Stay safe and be happy. Solong from a Fan in the U S A . \
Sara James | 1 month, 2 weeks ago
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Ms or mrs. or aubrey
I believe almost the whole world was looking in on Britain’s got talent. Well, this is another look into the hearts minds and souls of the English speaking world. First, it was complacency and lack of vigilance for our own welfare and safety, then it was an expose’ of greed, corruption and deceipt from ourselves and from those who were in high positions of responsibilities to themselves and to others. Lastly, and not least came another one with the attitude of the judges and audience of Britain’s Got Talent toward Susan Boyle before she started to sing. All they did was look at her and heard her speak and the laughs, snikkers and the audience looking at each other with questioning looks of uncertainty and disgust as well as the judges doing a bit of the same.
My heart hurt for her – it was as if she was in the lions den waiting to be tortured reviled and rejected. Yet, she still held her head high as if none of this was being directed towards her and sang beautifully in contrast to all the ugliness around her.
Aubrey Marshall | 1 month, 2 weeks ago
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I am captivated by Susan Boyle. And, Susan is not
I am captivated by Susan Boyle in every way possible. I am captivated by the fact that eventhough she was treated poorly for most of her fourty seven years, she has remained a kind, a caring, and a truly beautiful human being. I am captivated by her beautiful voice that she has kept strong all these years, even without the public recignition that she greatly deserved. I am captivated by her tanisity, by her joy for life which is evident in her face, and for her beautiful smile.
Susan Boyel is a lovely lady. She is not ugly by any measure, save for those people who judge too quickly. Those people are the losers. Susan is not any more beautiful today than she was a year ago. She is more polished. And so, continuly becomes more attractive. Most of us who brouse the internet have seen pictures of the “beautiful people” before they are made up, and polished for the day. These “beautiful people” do not become more beautiful, they become more polished. They have the means by which they can gain some polish. It is Susan’s turn. She now has the means by which she can become more polished. You go Susan!
I can hardly wait for your next CD!
Mary Ruth Campbell | 1 month, 2 weeks ago
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registered nurse
i felt so bad how peolpeaugh at her, but the last laugh was on them ..shame on them . god does not like ugly.. can,t judge a book by it,s cover. God bless you susan you will go a long ways, that was stuning you sound like an angel.
anne k. | 1 month, 1 week ago
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