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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retired
Let not any of you judge this person for the outside. Susan Boyle has stolen our hearts and she is truly gifted. Thank you for sharing your talent with us. May you have peace within forever. And could you make some CD’s for us.?
K. Tango | 9 months, 4 weeks ago
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Lover of Freedom
She’s just an entertainer. It doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things.
Hayden Waite | 9 months, 3 weeks ago
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Susan Boyle
The beautiful people are naturally beautiful. The less beautiful work at changing themselves to perfection and are frustrated because of all the cost and work it takes to fake it, leaving they are moody and neurotic. The less attractive feel resentful when they compare themselves to others. Then the people that are just doing life and enjoying the art of it excel with what passion is in their heart regardless of what others may be doing or thinking. Bless them with the ability to drive on.
Anthony Wallace | 9 months, 3 weeks ago
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Responsibility to others.
The right question was asked. No, it isn’t our responsibility to avoid snap judgments. That’s practically impossible. But it is our responsibility to move past those judgments as if they were never there and see a person for who they really are. And it’s definitely not an excuse to treat someone rudely. We owe it to others to judge them on more then looks because we expect it for ourselves.
Katrina Deane | 9 months, 3 weeks ago
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Susan Boyle
Oh for heaven’s sakes! The ugly people are those who judge others at all. Susan is beautiful and , even if she couldn’t sing.
Julie Weber-Baker | 9 months, 3 weeks ago
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Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder
We as Americans are very judgmental and sometimes very cruel to people. I think that it is about time that we realize beauty is only skin deep Susan is a good example of beauty. When I heard her sing my heart leaped. I was breathless and every inch of my skin stood up on my body. This woman has the voice of an Angel. Now that she is very popular I hope that the media leaves her alone and allow her, her stardom and don’t look for every flaw. No one is perfect, please don’t run her away! I want to hear more of Susan Boyle. Her voice is her art, music is who she, and would like to see her come to America. I will buy a tickets, her CD’s. Susan this is your time to rise, be free, set no limits and always stay grounded.
Vickie Bethea | 9 months, 3 weeks ago
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The clothes and body doesn't make the person.
I recall being the new sales associate for a furniture company which shared a parking lot with a lumber company. A couple in their late 50s came into our store. A coworker said great another “Plaster Pal” heading our way. Their clothes were clean but you could tell they had been working. Everyone ignored them except me, the single mom that had rent due. I didn’t care the amount of the sale as every penny of commission counted. Over a two year period I earned approximately 6000 just from them, and thousands more from their friends, family and coworkers. And if you recall an American Idol singer that won whose body wasn’t the swimsuit mold but overweight, and I thought for sure he would be judged by his looks but America surprised me. And boy of boy he sings like and angel.
Anggie | 9 months, 2 weeks ago
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invisible
I do not think this is about Susan Boyle at all.
Disrespecting others speaks clearly as to how one feels about themselves. So I agree with the statement that the responsibility lies with ourselves. If we have love & compassion for ourselves, there is no need to judge and ridicule others. You are really ridiculing yourself when you do.
Michael Stauffer | 9 months, 2 weeks ago
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The most beautiful thing
The most beautiful thing about Susan Boyle – in her performance seen around the world – is her apparent ability to confidently disregard other’s shallow-based opinions. My wish is to teach my children this skill. Believe in yourself, not what others would, without knowing you, choose to believe.
Debby Siegel | 9 months, 2 weeks ago
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just me
I think her voice is beautiful and so is she.. All this hype about her looks is just wrong people, always looking at a person’s outter and should wait, be still and let God show you what he created in this person.
Also I want to coment on what people. are saying about her lashing out at reporters and I say ‘do it again, Susan’, these people. have no regard for anyone, it’s all about the story and this lady has been hounded by so many that I know she is tired and just needs some time.
God Bless You Susan and I hope you will go far in you music!
Robyne Bates | 9 months, 2 weeks ago
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