One song and she breaks the grip of this sneering world

[babylonsister]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/minette_marrin/article6122594.ece

One song and she breaks the grip of this sneering world
Minette Marrin

snip//

What really interests me about the clip is not so much her talent as her story and people’s passionate reaction to it. Susan Boyle’s experience has all the symbolic power of a fairy story. It’s a story of transformation - always one of the most powerful - both for her and for her studio audience.

She, in fairy-story terms, is the ugly old lady, despised by all, who turns out to be a beloved and powerful princess; the spell that sets her free and makes her great is her magic talent. And the special magic of this talent is that it is makes no distinctions of age or beauty or disability; anyone might have this magic power, whether or not anyone else knows. Aspirations and dreams need not always grow old, though we must. It is a fairy story to make grown men and women weep, and it did.

Similarly, the jeering audience of vain young people trying to catch the camera’s eye and the preening judges of this contest are the nasty boys and girls of fairy stories who mock the poor old lady because she is not young and beautiful, only to be punished when her real self is revealed. And their punishment is to be revealed as they truly are - heartless, thoughtless and superficial - the flotsam and jetsam of the polluted seas of celebrity, likely to sink without trace into toxic foam. They will grow old too, to be ignored in their turn, and then they will understand that appearances are not everything. And those who despise people who are not thin, not young, not beautiful and not cool will one day find themselves despised in exactly the same way, by people just like their younger selves. That is enough to make young people think.

This side of the story became even more forceful for me when it emerged that Miss Boyle suffered mild brain damage at birth, causing problems that meant she was bullied and belittled at school. In retrospect I think that is enough to explain her slightly unusual manner, and the bullying and belittling sneers of the studio audience; it’s what they were laughing at. But Susan Boyle managed to rise above people like them. She found herself in church choirs and karaoke, restored and triumphant in music; it’s a story of the undefeated spirit.

Hers is also finally a story of the astonishing power of music to bring people together, transcending all differences. Everyone should sing. Everyone certainly can sing – there is almost no one who cannot learn to sing in tune. And the joy of singing in itself, or in a choir, is one of the best consolations I can think of for life’s sadnesses; I started singing lessons a couple of years ago and am amazed by what it has come to mean. As a nation, as individuals, we don’t sing enough. We should be inspired by the surprising Susan Boyle.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

1. I agree. It has the symbolic power of a fairy story.

It is a brilliant narrative and will make much $$$.

[FreakinDJ]

9. Fundies are calling it a "Miracle"

Turns out she worked for the church up to 2001 at which time she quit to take care of her ailing mother who passed away 1 year ago

[geiger]

2. Everyone should sing.

It's the only reason I go to church, when I do.

[KittyWampus]

21. singing in the choir is the only thing I really miss about going to church. That, and the socials.

[BlooInBloo]

3. She also cured cancer, eliminated poverty, and instituted goodwill to all people.

[babylonsister]

4. Why the snark? If you don't like it, don't read or respond.

Or hide thread. Easy.

[BlooInBloo]

20. Because you guys are killing her with overexposure.

[TankLV]

22. and You're killing her with your CRAP...

just ignore the posts if you're so "upset" honey...

[babylonsister]

23. She's waited 47 years to have someone acknowledge her talent.

I think the 'overexposure' is deserved.

[roguevalley]

27. agreed. she isn't botoxed, synthetic or affected. she is real and

genuine. I love her.

[Warpy]

5. She's an amazing talent who looks like the rest of us

and that's why the response has been overwhelming.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

6. Poor Simon.... good thing he didn't start with his crap prior to the

the serenade.... he would have had to have fries with the crow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

[Oregone]

7. She is an amazing talent I hope I never hear about again!

OVERKILL, OVERKILL and for good measure, OVERKILL

[GoesTo11]

17. Hopefully she'll get her CD out soon

I think if they wait until the series is done, there'll be a lot less excitement and it won't sell nearly as well. Right now, she could sell 20 million copies in a week!

[east texas lib]

8. As a musician, I love the fact that she sang solo...

With no back up, no pitch correction, no lip syncing, no accompanying dancers, none of the usual
bullshit that the Brittany Spears of the world rely on so heavily to keep their cash flows up.
Sometimes it really is just about the art.

[TahitiNut]

10. It has never really been about Susan Boyle.

It has always been about what others CHOOSE to see in her. Susan Boyle is serving the role of social Rohrschach.

:shrug:

[Psychic Consortium]

11. You are 100% correct Babylon Sister.

Profoundly moving stories of ordinary people
doing extraordinary things.
They will continue.

In marked contrast to the corrupt and greedy all around us
who brought the world to its knees.

[geiger]

12. amen.

[Bryn]

13. Beautiful story

and so rare! Thank you for posting this gem. :hi:

[undergroundpanther]

14. It's wonderful

This time the sneering world had to, for once .. STFU.
And swallow their own sneers.

I pose a question..what about all the other "frumpy" not pretty, not able to sing like a goddess people who are out there,who for no reason they can change still endure the sneers of the world,day in day out until they break?

She was lucky she could sing, but for her talent there are many more like her who cannot,or have been too humiliated over physical flaws that they hide their talents or never develop them fearing it will never be good enough to stop the sneering?

I think honestly humans have to learn that everyone has a right to be what they ARE and not be humiliated for it anymore.

Even if popular judgementalism and bigotry is against people having certain appearances like bushy eyebrows, a full figure, buck teeth,red hair, unpopular fashion tastes ,a very thin stature or very short one,or tattoos,unusual speech,a deformity,a skin problem,or whatever other differences exist among people they should STFU.

It should not be wrong or feel bad to be different,no one should be socially punished to be what they ARE.

So whatever it is that somehow encourages and permits the mob like cruelty,whatever it is that sets tongues wagging and the darts flying that too often shame the less than perfect,whatever these vicious people think gives them a green light to hurl the verbal abuse,and thosethat join in or stand by,regardless it HAS to stop.And those witnessing the take down of another's spirit over something stupid like appearances have to step up and stop the cruelty.


After all we all can and sometimes we do,decide to STFU about our snotty opinions of others and silence the sneers that are mean and would feel painful if it was aimed at ourselves instead of the 'other'.

I think some people are too devoid of empathy or their emotions are not sensitive enough to care about others feelings.And why people go along with the emotionally stunted and empathy deficient and their scapegoating I cannot fathom why.

IMO those saying vicious sneers should not be encouraged to speak their poisoned words even if it is claimed to be"humor". For many bullies try to cover up verbal abuse by calling it a joke,a joke that is funny to everyone but the target.

She was fortunate to have the chance to silence the sneers and her voice drown them out.

Maybe if all our voices rose in support of all kinds of human uniqueness grew so strong it drowned out the callous, the sneering, might not have a voice in which to hurt people with anymore.


This is the lesson I took from her performance.Astounding beauty can come from people the world just sneers at, So,if they'd stop sneering and start listening the world might become a more beautiful place for everyone.

Just a thought.

[babylonsister]

31. I love your post, undergroundpanther. In an ideal world,

looks, age, social skills shouldn't matter. I agree with you 100%. Thanks for writing this.

[Motown_Johnny]

15. Her voice is spectacular, I don't care about the story behind the person who has it (much)

you can cut and paste any other story onto her and I will still be impressed.

it's all about the voice

[Turborama]

16. Great article, this ongoing story does have a fairytale quality to it

Have you read these two yet? They both give a really good insight into her life before this all happened...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1171536/They-called-Susie-Simple-singing-superstar-Susan-Boyle-laughing-now.html">'They called me Susie Simple', but singing superstar Susan Boyle is the one laughing now

http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/featuresopinon/display.var.2501746.0.The_beauty_that_matters_is_always_on_the_inside.php">The beauty that matters is always on the inside






:kick: & R

[roguevalley]

29. I love her face in that picture. that put a lot of hurt to rest. GOOD FOR

YOU, HONEY!

[cwydro]

18. it's a nice story.

no one can argue that.

[tomp]

19. i didn't like her singing.

just my opinion, but it colors the story/myth.

[GoesTo11]

26. It's pretty good. I wouldn't know great.

But her version of that other song was also really good.

[Egnever]

24. Its a great story and I couldnt be more pleased for the woman

The Paul pots story from last year was nearly identical. I wonder what he is up to now.

[MercutioATC]

25. Geez...she's an older, unattractive woman with a decent voice.

If she was young and pretty, nobody would be talking about this.

This isn't about her talent (which is impressive, but hardly unique), it's about a pretty voice coming from an ugly body.

A 12-year old Korean kid who does advanced math in his head is no big deal, but Rainman is a "miracle". I think that the people who hype this are (consciously or unconsciously) selling lookism.

[L0oniX]

28. OMG not you too ...jeeze pffft ...your breaking my hide thread.

[babylonsister]

30. It's a good article, what can I say?

:D

You should read it!