[series_meta]
Until I was almost 40, I never recognized a face or facial expression. Could not pick out my face in my high school yearbook, etc.
It of course makes a host of stories that are funny long after and only long after.
And it led to some odd perspectives and hubris. I felt morally superior to the shallow people that judged others by looks.
I knew there were problems out there.
Photo by Greg Rakozy on UnsplashI learned to use the word “they” rather than “he” or “she” when explaining someone’s idea or scholarly paper because it being hers would cause it to be judged differently. I didn’t understand why, but I couldn’t miss that it was happening.
I read a disturbing article in BuzzFeed about the unpleasant experiences of many women who are not well-matched to society’s model of beauty. It makes me sad to read it.
When I was fully face-blind it took no effort at all to focus on hearts, minds, and spirits. I imagine that with decades of practice it is less difficult for me to do so than the average person. But even if it takes effort, it is a personal step I would everyone to take toward #suckagereduction.
Noble peace prize recipient Martin Luther King had a dream where people who “not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” It is an important dream.
And I dream I would like to build on to include all of appearance and host of other factors that distract us from seeing a person as a person.
