“When all of us are acknowledged as the human equals that we really are, there will be no space left for bullying. It will no longer be wrong to choose one thing over another.” – Jason Mraz
Kim Novak, when she was young and fit Americans’ standards of beauty.
Soapbox Time
Public judgments of how people dress, what they eat, what they believe, how they act and how they look, have been bothering me for a long time, like a chigger bite that won’t stop itching.
Most recently, it happened on “Survivor,” of which I’ve long been a fan despite its goal of outwitting and lying to other players. I see that as part of the game. What I don’t see as a game is when one player makes fun of another because they’re not young and beautiful, which one beautiful on-the-outside-but-not-on-the-inside contestant did to another older female contestant in recent weeks.
That’s also exactly what was done by public figures to Kim Novak after her appearance on Oscar night. For crying out loud, why wasn’t she celebrated for being an old broad who was brave enough to appear in public?
Kim Novak today, and in my eyes still beautiful. May I look this good when I’m 81. Heck, I don’t look this good at 75
And by the way, Kim, I say old broad with great respect because I am one — and proud of it.
We Americans are currently fighting, or so we say, to end bullying of young people. At the same time, I daily see bullying by public figures against those who don’t look like they’re 17, have perfect features and so much money they can afford to never wear the same outfit twice. Did anyone ever hear of the philosophy of role modeling?
Kim, who I think looks fantastic for 81, was taunted with such comments as “she should sue her plastic surgeon.” — How rude!!!!!!!!!! She said she hid herself away for days, but finally decided to call the hurtful judgments by their true name – Bullying.
Thank you Kim for being so brave.
How about the rest of us? Can we tell all the comedians and self-appointed critics that we‘re not laughing anymore?
The Wondering-Wanderer’s blog pick of the day.
Bean Pat: This one’s for you Kim. “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.” — Steve Jobs
Pat Bean's blog 