1 February 2011

Beauty and the Beast : The Ugly Side Of Prejudice

Hello :)
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I'm sure a few of you are aware of a tv show which graced your screens tonight, sensitively called Beauty and the Beast : The Ugly Side Of Prejudice.
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The programme focuses on 2 kinds of people, one with a facial disfigurement and one person who is 'normal' and has quite a superficial view on beauty. Cameras will track the pair as they venture around London together.
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So, why am i telling you about this? Well the reason being is that i have a facial disfigurement myself, and to be honest i don't know how i feel about the documentry. For one, the title is quite offensive, 'Beauty and the Beast' seriously?! I know they Channel 4 named it this to gain attention and exposure but i think its very insensitive, what message does that give out to the public about people who look different, that we are 'Beasts' . . . . strange
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On the otherhand i think its good that Channel 4 are exploring the topic of facial disfigurements and bringing quite a shyly talked about subject into the public domain.
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My story . . . .
When i was born i had a birthmark around the size of an orange on the side of my cheek, the doctors removed the birthmark but in the process unfortunately they removed my nerves/muscles in my cheek aswell. Resulting in me not being able to use the muscles on the right side of my face. This means i can't smile properly, raise my right eyebrow or waggle my ear (as if i'd want to ;)) I've had 5 operations trying to move muscles from my legs and arms into my face in an attempt to make the muscles to work again, but unfortunately nothing has worked!
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I've had people say things about my face to me, my personal favourite being 'Have you got a tooth/face absess?' they said this as my face is slightly droopy/swollen on the right.
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So i'm left with a not so symetricall face, some days it gets me down and knocks my confidence but there are always people who are worse off than me, so why should i complain! We're not all perfect, right?!
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Call me cringy but i think beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, and no one is a 'Beast' as Channel4 nicely put it . . .
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I'd love to hear your views on this topic, did you watch Beauty and the Beast? What did you think about it?
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Since i posted a FOTD last month i've had a few Formspring questions/emails about my disfigurement, if you'd like to ask me a question about it then feel free to do so;
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Thanks for reading,
Felicity
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6 comments

  1. i haven't seen it yet, i shall make sure i watch it soon though. I do think it's unfairly named though, nice on Channel 4! xxx

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  2. I haven't seen this program but I will watch it on 4OD. I agree that the title is offensive. I remember a similar documentary on BBCThree which I think was far more tasteful (I think it was called Love Me, Love my face). It had me in tears that people could be so cruel. I think more awareness is needed. I also think you are are very brave to have had 5 operations xx

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  3. Fantastic post! Not really on the same scale but I had really bad acne in my second year at university and people don't always realise how much some comments hurt- it can really affect your self-esteem. You are inspiring and gorgeous!

    Bec xx

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  4. Hey Felicity! You wrote a comment on my post and I've just read yours.

    I do see where your coming from about the title. Someone who has been through such things like yourself may take some offence to it. I do believe that everyone is beautiful in there own way, not just for looks, there are certain qualities in people that we love/hate. If everyone was the same life would be so bland and boring. Your such a trooper for going through those 5 operations xoxo

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  5. I don't think you should take the title literal. In the first episode they showed a woman with a facial disfigurement. She said: 'Beauty comes in many forms. As do beasts.' 'Beasts' in this context doesn't refer to those who are supposedly unattractive, but to those who think and feel they are.

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