Has Everyone Seen This But Me?

[Moosey]

Okay, sheesh Lor

[Sojourner]

Loved the video, cmom. Thanks for the post.

[quote name='HisChildForever' post='1836828' date='Apr 15 2009, 10:00 PM']So thin women aren't "real" women? [/quote]
Yep. The women portrayed as being "beautiful" by society (i.e. "thin women") bear little to no correlation to the real situations of most women, and yet we still find our perceptions constricted by societal constructs of beauty. Witness how shocked people were when this woman opened her mouth and sang. They viewed her as being worthless, or not a "real woman," because of her outward appearance and mannerisms, until they heard what she could do. She's a real woman, who bears in her body the residue of having lived a real life. She's not airbrushed or overprocessed. And she is still extraordinary. The fact that that is shocking is, I think, a little sad, and betrays how shallow we are as a society.

Edited April 16, 2009 by Terra Firma

[Luthien]

[quote name='Terra Firma' post='1836922' date='Apr 16 2009, 01:54 AM']Loved the video, cmom. Thanks for the post.


Yep. The women portrayed as being "beautiful" by society (i.e. "thin women") bear little to no correlation to the real situations of most women, and yet we still find our perceptions constricted by societal constructs of beauty. Witness how shocked people where when this woman opened her mouth and sang. They viewed her as being worthless, or not a "real woman," because of her outward appearance and mannerisms, until they heard what she could do. She's a real woman, who bears in her body the residue of having lived a real life. She's not airbrushed or overprocessed. And she is still extraordinary. The fact that that is shocking is, I think, a little sad, and betrays how shallow we are as a society.[/quote]


EXACTLY! you were much more eloquent in your response than I.

[cmotherofpirl]

Vid has been seen by 12 million people in 5 days.

[Hilde]

I'm curious to see what she does next.

Also, did you see the Flawless dance group?

[cmotherofpirl]

[quote name='Hilde' post='1837161' date='Apr 16 2009, 10:04 AM']I'm curious to see what she does next.

Also, did you see the Flawless dance group?[/quote]
wOw!!!

[Madame Vengier]

I wasn't impressed by her singing. What impressed me was her overwhelming desire to "do something in life". THAT is impressive.

(CNN) -- Television and YouTube singing sensation Susan Boyle has promised to be on her best behaviour if she wins the right to sing for the queen.
[url="http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/04/16/susan.boyle.simon.cowell/index.html"]http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/04/16/s...well/index.html[/url]

Susan Boyle sings "I Dreamed a Dream" -- and becomes a worldwide sensation.

The 47-year-old Boyle, who says she has never been kissed, was catapulted into the spotlight after her rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream" from the musical "Les Miserables," on the television show "Britain's Got Talent" at the weekend.

The winner of the show gets to sing for the queen at the Royal Variety Show.

Boyle has a long way to go though -- having just won through to the second round after judge Simon Cowell described her first performance as "extraordinary."

Still, she was already thinking of how she would behave.

"Whatever comes my way, I am ready. It would be lovely to sing for the queen. There would be less of the carry on from me, and more of the singing.

"She is a very regal lady, very nice, so I would be nice too, and just get up there and give it a bit of wellie (try)," Boyle told the show's Web site.

Boyle said she was trying to take her new found fame in her stride.

"It's a challenge. Life is a challenge sometimes but this is different. And I like to test myself.

"If it all gets too much and they lock me up, I want a great big strait-jacket with spots on it. A pink one... and a big zip on the back so I can escape."

A clip of Boyle's performance had more than 11 million views on YouTube by Thursday, and the world's media have beaten a path to her door in Blackburn, West Lothian, Scotland.

Cowell is reportedly already trying to piece together a record deal for Boyle, an unemployed charity worker, who lives with her cat, Pebbles.

For fans of Boyle, who attracted laughs and sniggers when she first appeared on stage before winning a standing ovation, the album cannot come quick enough.

CNN has been inundated with hundreds of messages of support for Boyle.

Simone said: "I've been so depressed all day but hearing this woman sing and reading her story gave me a pick-me-up... I look forward to hearing more of her and I hope to buy her CD as soon as it hits the shelves."

Cynthia wanted Cowell to move quickly.

"She brought tears to my eyes and a lump in my throat. I hope Simon does get her a record contract...I'll buy her CD. Never judge a book by it's cover. Susan Boyle, you go, girl!"

Jim described Boyle's talent as "unbelievable" and "beautiful."

"I wish Susan the very best in her new life and hopefully someone has put her under contract. Thank you for such a beautiful song."

Larry wanted to offer Boyle a kiss.

"I have just heard you sing for the first time -- thanks to CNN -- and I must tell you this: You are a fabulous talent, simply amazing to me that no one took advantage of your voice and passion up until now. I am a happily married man, but if I were not, and if I was in the audience, I can guarantee you that I would ask for a kiss, and if you were gracious enough to indulge me, well that would have been one of the great highlights of my life. Looking forward to the first of many albums."

[HisChildForever]

[quote name='Terra Firma' post='1836922' date='Apr 15 2009, 11:54 PM']Loved the video, cmom. Thanks for the post.


Yep. The women portrayed as being "beautiful" by society (i.e. "thin women") bear little to no correlation to the real situations of most women, and yet we still find our perceptions constricted by societal constructs of beauty. Witness how shocked people were when this woman opened her mouth and sang. They viewed her as being worthless, or not a "real woman," because of her outward appearance and mannerisms, until they heard what she could do. She's a real woman, who bears in her body the residue of having lived a real life. She's not airbrushed or overprocessed. And she is still extraordinary. The fact that that is shocking is, I think, a little sad, and betrays how shallow we are as a society.[/quote]

I think it would be more appropriate to say that Hollywood's interpretation of a "real" woman is grossly skewed (perfect hair, skin, teeth, body, make-up, etc.). That I certainly agree with. But to say that a thin woman is not "real" is just offensive (Catherine, thank you for the apology by the way). Personally I cannot help my weight. I am not on any diet to maintain my weight, I am just a natural stick. But I am certainly "real."

[IcePrincessKRS]

[quote name='HisChildForever' post='1837238' date='Apr 16 2009, 12:06 PM']I think it would be more appropriate to say that Hollywood's interpretation of a "real" woman is grossly skewed (perfect hair, skin, teeth, body, make-up, etc.). That I certainly agree with. But to say that a thin woman is not "real" is just offensive (Catherine, thank you for the apology by the way). Personally I cannot help my weight. I am not on any diet to maintain my weight, I am just a natural stick. But I am certainly "real."[/quote]

Actually, I think Terra and Catherine are right. I do wear size 0 hip huggers, and I am well aware of the fact that my body is not a real representation of an average woman. In that sense I am not "real." That doesn't make ME any less real, or what I do any less important, it just means that people who look like me should not be held up on a pedestal as the standard to which every woman should strive. For the majority of women in the world to look like me would mean severe eating disorders and living unhealthy lifestyles. That's not fair. I'm not "normal" and other women shouldn't be persecuted because society thinks they should look the way I do.

[Sojourner]

[quote name='HisChildForever' post='1837238' date='Apr 16 2009, 10:06 AM']I think it would be more appropriate to say that Hollywood's interpretation of a "real" woman is grossly skewed (perfect hair, skin, teeth, body, make-up, etc.). That I certainly agree with. But to say that a thin woman is not "real" is just offensive (Catherine, thank you for the apology by the way). Personally I cannot help my weight. I am not on any diet to maintain my weight, I am just a natural stick. But I am certainly "real."[/quote]
Well, actually she didn't say thin women weren't real. She wasn't even insinuating anything of the sort.

Perhaps you need to come to terms with your insecurities about your weight and not read insult into posts that don't intend it.

[Madame Vengier]

[quote name='HisChildForever' post='1837238' date='Apr 16 2009, 12:06 PM']I think it would be more appropriate to say that Hollywood's interpretation of a "real" woman is grossly skewed (perfect hair, skin, teeth, body, make-up, etc.). That I certainly agree with. But to say that a thin woman is not "real" is just offensive (Catherine, thank you for the apology by the way). Personally I cannot help my weight. I am not on any diet to maintain my weight, I am just a natural stick. But I am certainly "real."[/quote]


Personally, I despise the general phrase "a real woman" because it is open to so many interpretations on any side of any perspective. Some may say a working woman is a real woman, while others may say a housewife is a real woman. Some may some a woman in the military is a real woman, while others may say a woman who works in an office is a real woman. Same goes for looks, weight, talents, education and anything else. The reality is that there is no one thing that makes a real woman. ALL women are REAL WOMEN. Studies have been done over and over by various focus groups and health organizations around America and the results are all the same: America is a country that is grossly overweight. It is not some isolated cases--it's an epidemic in our nation. Along with that is a stubborn unwillingness among many to correct the problem both on a personal level as well as on a societal level--especially among women. Instead what has happened is that the overweight woman has declared herself emancipated and liberated from "societal pressures and expectations" and is embracing her so-called "fullness". Being overweight becomes almost a badge of honor, a sign of rebellion. Then the thin woman--regardless of whether she's naturally so or dieting--becomes the enemy and the outcast. I see this over and over. It's a ridiculous attitude and serves no purpose but for overweight women to try to make themselves feel better about themselves. Fine. Want to feel better about themslves? Good for them if they are truly happy with themselves--then they shouldn't need to put down other women to prove it.

[Madame Vengier]

[quote name='Terra Firma' post='1837248' date='Apr 16 2009, 12:21 PM']Perhaps you need to come to terms with your insecurities about your weight and not read insult into posts that don't intend it.[/quote]

"Well, actually she didn't say she has insecurities about her weight. She wasn't even insinuating anything of the sort."

She took issue with the term "real woman" in reference to women who are overweight or larger or whatever term you want to use. The implication is that women who are thin are not real women. She rightfully took issue with that. That doesn't mean she has insecurities about her weight, so you totally didn't need to go there.

And if you think about it, if the tables were turned and thin women were referring to THEMSELVES as "real women", then heavy women all over America would be purple with rage. So, it's not okay to make the same implication about thin women. As I said before, it's not necessary for overweight women to insult thin women just to make themselves feel better about their own bodies (NOT referring to Catherine and "real woman" comment here).

[CatherineM]

Honestly, when I was talking about someone size 0 in hip huggers I wasn't talking about weight, I was actually talking more about age.

[Sojourner]

[quote name='Madame Vengier' post='1837261' date='Apr 16 2009, 09:35 AM']"Well, actually she didn't say she has insecurities about her weight. She wasn't even insinuating anything of the sort."

She took issue with the term "real woman" in reference to women who are overweight or larger or whatever term you want to use. The implication is that women who are thin are not real women. She rightfully took issue with that. That doesn't mean she has insecurities about her weight, so you totally didn't need to go there.

And if you think about it, if the tables were turned and thin women were referring to THEMSELVES as "real women", then heavy women all over America would be purple with rage. So, it's not okay to make the same implication about thin women. As I said before, it's not necessary for overweight women to insult thin women just to make themselves feel better about their own bodies (NOT referring to Catherine and "real woman" comment here).[/quote]
Catherine was kind enough to apologize, but knowing the kind of posts Catherine has made in the past I find it hard to believe she intended offense. HCF seemed intent on taking offense, however, which leads me to believe that she is overly sensitive on this issue, and has insecurities about her body image, as many women (of many sizes) do.

I would say the same thing about a heavier woman who took offense over a thin woman calling herself a "real woman." People who are confident in who they are and what they look aren't picking apart other people's characterizations and opinions looking for offense.

[cmotherofpirl]

I have heard the same thing in choir. So although there are exceptions, I agree with CatherineM on a singers size. There is a relationship between lung capacity, fatty tissue around the voice box, and volume. Today the need is diminished, but before microphones, it told a large-sized person to project a tune above an orchestra.

Considering she has only sung in a church choir, Susan Boyle has a powerful emotional voice. I love how the female judge was unconsciously directing her and Simons look of delight at the first notes sung. This is why he does the program.