Susan Boyle: the person who woke up the world

I hardly watch TV. I don't even really give that much attention to YouTube either. So no, if you ask me if a watched a certain video on that website, my answer will most likely be no. Last night, as usual, I was talking to my mom on the phone. We're like best friends. My mom told me turn on CNN because I have to see this one. Apparently, it was something about this person appeared on "Britains Got Talent". I tried watching CNN, but it was always on commercials or it only showed the interviewing part. My mom insisted on watching this video on YouTube because it has been a sensation.

Susan Boyle, that's the name. A 47 year old, an unemployed Scottish woman appeared on stage. Like everyone would agree, she wasn't attractive or anything. This woman dreamed of a professional singer once, and everyone laughed. With Simon Cowell's unimpressed look, rest of the audience and judges laughed at her. Everyone literally thought she was making full of herself.

Then the music begins, "I Dreamed a Dream" from a famous musical Les Miserables. As soon as the first pitch came out from her mouth, the whole place turned to silence. SHE SOUNDED AMAZING!!! The cheers begun, the standing ovation, and the tears showed from several audiences before she even finished the first verse of the song. I started tearing too. Never in my life, I have become that emotional watching someone singing. Perhaps, no one in that show has.

YouTube posting of Susan Boyle's Performance:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxPZh4AnWyk

Then I started reflecting about this performance. Why did it become so sensational around the world? Why did people get so surprised and emotional with her performance? That answer became so obvious and simple - it was her look. It's rather a sad wake-up call. Our society or let's just say globally, we prejudged everyone by their looks. It doesn't matter whether you have the talent or not, the unattractive look can deceive everything. A visual perception is such a powerful mind-controlling piece to human beings.

That is exactly what happened in that TV show. No one, and I mean NO ONE BELIEVED that she had that incredible talent. It was such a sad reality. Since when did physical appearance determined everything about a person? Historically, it always has been, I get that. We remember good-looking individuals. We don't really care if Britney Spears has the voice for it or not. She can dance; she can entertain people. That's really all it matters, right? Result - she's a multiple platinum record selling female singer.

Susan Boyle has my complete respect and appreciation for what she has done. She had the courage to stand up for herself in front of a national TV despite all the negative vibe she got. And the song was so perfect for her in a way, because this song seemed to be about her. I take that back, this song was about her! A song about her life. Full of dreams in the beginning and full of rejections on the way, which we all go through, but maybe more for her.

I know some people may disagree, but I really think that all of us pay so much attention from what we see outside, we tend to forget the inner quality of a person. It's a sad reality, really. If we always judge people based on their looks, their poor background, and etc, we may never give some people a real chance to shine. Everyone deserves a chance to demonstrate their ability.

Assume this to be a temporary sensation since our society seems to be run by instant gratification, sensation, and what not. However, I do hope that some viewers learned one or two important things about life from this. To me, she is an inspirational individual.

I hope that this could be a wake-up call to some people around the world.

Thank you, Susan Boyle. You have truly put a smile on my face today.