Thread: The face of 'beauty' - A serious world issue

Am I the only one who thinks it's time to put a new face on the word 'beauty'? This feeling wasn't inspired by any anti-model or racist feelings, but it's been a trend for years: beautiful is white, blonde haired, blue eyed, lipless (the only star I know with real lips is Angelina Jolie), and size 4. There are variations of beauty, it comes in all shapes and sizes and I know you all (for the most part) agree. But that's not the message being sent out all the time, and that is a problem.

Many styles have changed over the years: hairstyles, clothes, music, and cars, but to me it seems like the world is having a very hard time leaving the idea of traditional beauty (Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty) behind. Sure, there are a few famous minorities who've made it in the business: Tyra Banks (African American), Gisele Bunchen (Brazilian), Kimora Lee Simmons (Asian), Eamon (Somalian), AND a few healthy or "plus sized" models: Taccarra and Queen Latifah to name a few, but they are few and far between. The fatter America gets, the smaller models become, and the more damage is done to American youth's self esteem.

I'm not complaining about the way America in general is - while minorities are increasing every year, white americans are still the majority (though closely followed up by Hispanic Americans), & since they are the majority they are more widely accepted and more often seen in movies and magazines (and anyone who feels a sense of security or gets a big head because of these facts are not sensitive or truly 'good' at all). Even so, more cinnamon, red, and brown faces are popping up on television and in magazines, but kept to a limit so as not to lose it's appeal to the majority of American audiences and still "please everyone".

The "United" States of America has continued to function thus far with those 'statistics'--may not be the best way, but at least the world still turns and America hasn't been completely bombed off the maps. Everyone is getting their turn, so why complain? No one is being hardcore racist anymore these days, so why bring it up?

Because even though it's not as outrageous as it used to be, it still exists. Reforming the American conscience is hard, but it's been done before (Civil Rights Movements, Womens Rights Movements), and it could be done again if enough people cared.

I'm addressing two things with this thread: size and race, and the parts they play in being "beautiful" as the world defines it.

I know a few guys [note I didn't say "all guys"] will say, "Psh, I like my girls with a little meat on them" or "I don't care what's on the outside, it's all about what's on the inside." Get real.

1) You and your friends are checking out girls--you point to a fat one and the rest of them look at you like you're crazy. If they lined up -insert pretty skinny actress- here to -insert average looking mcdonalds loving girl- (which compared to the actress WOULD look fat--not overweight, but "chubby"), you would probably go after the actress because 1) she's skinny and that's what "looks good" (and if you want to get technical 2) because she's rich o_O).

2) You and your friends are holding a casting call for the next American Pie movie when 5 european americans walk in followed by 3 hispanics and 2 african americans--Most likely, only one of the minorities will be chosen (and as in explained in "Not Another Teen Movie!" just to say "Damn!" or "That's messed up!"... If you dont know what I'm talking about, go rent the damn movie, or you will be messed up.)

We've come a very long way since the early 1900s for sure, but I think there will always be room for improvement. The general attitude especially could use some tweaking, and not only because of what I said above. In many situations people who fall into mainstream or traditional beauty could care less about the concerns of others and think 'Oh, I meet the requirements, the world obviously has more to offer me than the next person,' so they dont take it as seriously as they should. This is just human nature--if it doesn't affect you it's not a problem, but more sensitivity and thought should be given to the subject---and especially to the people.

Now if you're wondering, I'm:

- 15
- African American / Hispanic / White / Biracial
- 5'2''
- 129 LB (I play Volleyball/Softball, lift weights, & have a curvy figure)
- Dark brown hair
- Dark brown eyes
- Size 8/9 in Juniors
- And all of the above just wouldn't cut it in a New York Fashion Show (not just because I'm underaged, either)

If you're 5'5'', 108 lb, blonde haired, blue eyed, and size 2-4, you could probably care less. : ) Which is understandable, because as I said before, "what doesn't affect you doesn't matter." (I want to point out that this is the WRONG way to think--Hurricane Katrina? Great example. Didnt affect a lot of us, but it mattered to many of us. In the same way, being "different" doesn't affect a majority of us, but it should matter.)

But If you say "So if you're so unhappy, lose some weight," why? That's my question. Why is it so important to be so tiny, what's the point of it? What's so attractive about having no hips, small boobs, and no lips?

If you say "You're fine the way you are, be happy, don't worry about what others think, just be yourself and people will come to you." Great way to put it Little Red Riding Hood, but that's not the way it works. It's the best way to handle things, but at the same time how do you ignore it all the time? Wouldn't it be better if you didn't -have- to ignore it? How are you supposed to change the world if no one speaks up?

Yeah, life's not perfect, but why live if you don't play a part in making it so.

I know I've rambled a bit and got off topic more than once. =/ Sorry about that, I hope some of you have an opinin or two to share. But my question is this: How do you view the issue? Do you ignore it and go on with life because it doesn't affect you in particular, or do you stop and notice it every now and then? What should the new "beauty" be? Fuller? Healthier? Darker? Or exactly the way it is?

- The perfect example of "traditional beauty." (image from DayDreamGraphics.com layout at this link: http://www.daydreamgraphics.com/g/view/7184, do NOT take and use this image for any avatar/signature/layout/banner/wallpaper without the original maker's permission) Is it time for a change?