America: Land of the Beautiful

...America
the land of the pretty, needs to getover itself...

.......[c]2006 by Richard L Zorek......1.04.06.....
Americans are strange in some respects. We don't believe we should judge a book by its cover, but we do it all the time. We worship Hollywood, applaud the pretty, the unblemished, and often give them a pedestal to sit on, when it's the one who is not in that category that needs the place to sit. Never has this been so clear as when Dick Clark hosted the New Years celebration in New York this year. Clark has long been a man who was energetic and always looked young. He has long been an American icon and a lot of that had to do with his seemingly eternal youthfulness. (Although he was certainly a smart business man). After his stroke, Clark was not able to do New Years in 2005. This year he came back. But he was not the same. Or so the critics say. But I disagree. He was himself. He is a man who suffered a stroke. He didn't act like he used to, but he is a man who suffered a stroke. His speech was a little slowed, but he is a man who suffered a stroke. His physical movements were a little slowed, but he is a man who suffered a stroke. The way he was on TV the other night is an improvement from what he was when the stroke first happened because at that time he couldn't speak at all. He should epitomize the American spirit of one who overcomes obstacles and survives. Instead Clark was met with criticism by some who felt his appearance shouldn't have happend. Why? Because it was a downer for them. They want to see the pretty and unblemished. They want to see the youthful Clark. His appearance rained on their celebration. All I can say to them is "boo hoo." I applaud his effort. America, the land of the pretty, needs to get over itself. It needs to quit trampling over the hopes and dreams of so many people just because they don't look beautiful and fit the image. Countless numbers of teenage boys and girls suffer from self-esteem issues pounded daily by a society that worships those without acne, with no weight issues, with perky personalities. Those of that ilk become favorites while the others start a downward plight toward accepting whatever they think they can get out of life because they just aren't part of Americas elite: the bold and beautiful. Criticism of Clark embarasses me. If it were a national policy, I would be looking to move to another country. It is not. though, and I find the attitude abhorrent.