Cosmetic Surgery & Self Image
I am sure you are all aware of the death of Superstar Rapper Kanye West’s Mother Donda West, due to complications related to a cosmetic surgery procedure. May the creator be forever pleased her soul. She was the former Chairwoman of Chicago State University’s English department. She served as Chief Executive of West Brands LLC, the parent company of her son’s business enterprises. She also chaired the Kanye West Foundation, an educational non-profit organization working to decrease dropout rates and improve literacy.
It is fairly safe to say that she was a very intelligent and accomplished woman. It is seriously unfortunate that she came to her demise as a result of medical malpractice or negligence. One of my concerns in this issue is to the why she was in this circumstance in the beginning. For argument sake, I may have some possible answers.
For Centuries, women and even men, all have been programmed from such a young age that beauty is a set mode. That we all should look like some fantasy that is portrayed in the media, be it magazines or television. The question of good hair vs. bad hair, light skin vs. dark skin, big body vs.small body. The Hollywood look, regardless of race or creed, which consist of being skinny, with sharp features, basically the “Barbie Doll Syndrome”. It is darn near imossible to maintain this look unless you are rich or well to do; constantly under a plastic surgeon’s knife; or don’t eat on a regular basis. With all due respect to our Caucasian sisters, this is a tough feat for them and this was inspired by and for them. It is unrealistic and cannot be healthy. The best that any individual can hope for and accomplish is eating properly and exercising regularly.
What has to be propagated is that we are all beautiful--White, Black, Brown, Red, and Yellow. There is beauty in all types of features and body types and the real truth is the creator loves wondrous variety. Speaking figuratively, why else are there so many “flavors” to choose from? There are different types of “everything” in our world. There is no one set of beauty in humanity, think about it. A positive self image is so very important. This brings me back to my original idea, you have to love yourself, inside and outside. We have all saw in the media people who have a problem with their physical appearance and went out their way to “correct” the problem. Rapper Lil' Kim, Entertainer Michael Jackson, Actress Pamela Anderson, and the list goes on and on. You may say they did not die, but clearly a light certainly went out somewhere. These are symptoms of self hate and they are being exploited.
This is a psychological issue. I am not trying to generalize because again, everyone is different, with their own life experience and issues that have effected their mental state on some level. However, this wide spread belief, we all should look Eurocentric in a world that consist of seven continents and people of various ethnicities, is insane. There is nothing wrong with physical self improvement but not at the cost of your identity, distorting what you were meant to look like, or ultimately your health.
I wish you all a lovely and enjoyable Thanksgiving Holiday. May best wishes to Mr. Kanye West during this time of loss.
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Learn to Learn, Learn to Live, Learn to Love, Learn to Respect...RAHMAN S.
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