Map of the Word
No, it’s not a mistake. Tonight’s song is Map of the World. The title of this post is Map of the Word. There’s a reason. There are lots of reasons.
Yesterday, Nat showed us a video on YouTube of a beauty show queen, Miss Teen USA 2007, South Carolina, answering a question that should have been, well, if nothing else, NOT TOTALLY humiliating. But, it was. Sorry, Miss SC, I’m sure you’ve received a ton of debris, in person, by email, by phone, in numerous sites on the web, related to your answer. And, here’s why. You haven’t applied yourself. Have you tried? Did anyone ever tell you that you were smart, but needed to tap into something that might take some work?
You, Miss SC, live in one of the richest countries in the world, and THIS was your answer? Are you among the 1/5th of our nation who doesn’t own a map of the world? (According to your answer, this is why 1/5th of Americans can’t find the U.S. on a world map). I laughed, but I wanted to cry. I cry for you now.
Your answer to the question is a perfect example of why so many young people feel hopeless. Our systems have failed you, our schools have failed you. I hope you find something in your future that supports you. Truly, I hope you find something that makes you want to LEARN more than you now know. Don’t let that moment ruin your life. Walk on, find answers that help you with questions, and learn that “I don’t know” is an acceptable response.
Watching that video made me think of what Owen’s reaction might have been. I can’t know for sure. I can guess that he would have felt sorry for you, for the fact that you may think physical beauty is somehow more important, than your mind. He might have said something like, “Use your words, Miss South Carolina.” But, upon hearing them, he might have said, “On second thought, go back to school, or read a book, and learn some new words.”
My New Year’s Revolution did not include the search for physical beauty of the beauty-queen genre. It was meant for the beauty of nature, the beauty of humanity in its finest hours, the beauty of words that can change the world. Your words certainly changed mine.
You made me acutely aware of ignorance. Ignorance is not the same as stupidity. Look up these two words. If you can’t tell the difference, write me. I’ll make a fervent effort at explaining their differences.
At first, I thought I would post a song about “The Apocalypse” to accompany your answer, as your answer made me think about our future – one that is not pretty, or acceptable. I saw a future of self-destruction, famine of the mind, and devastation of thought. Instead, I chose a song that portrays my search for beauty.
Perhaps, you would not agree. I hope you find a thing, anything, in your life, that will propel you to search for a larger, more beautiful outcome. Walk away from the ramp, Miss SC. Walk into a future of big ideas. Walk into a future of mindfulness. Walk into learning.
Sweetie, take a look at what you said: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj3iNxZ8Dww
Many years ago, I asked a young and beautiful woman with whom I worked, what she thought of being beautiful. She said it was the curse of her life, because she was also smart, and no one accepted her thoughts as credible – all they saw was her face, her body. She cried. I was devastated.
When Owen was little, he hated being noticed. He was beautiful – physically beautiful. People in grocery stores would stop us in the check-out line and tell me how beautiful he was, what gorgeous eyes he had. He would hide his face in my shoulder and tell me later that he hated it when people noticed him. It made us both sad. He wanted only to be heard.
Beautiful music is a good start, Miss SC. Buy a map of the world. If you can’t afford one, let me know, and I’ll send you one. I have the $12 it will cost, and I can afford the shipping. Listen, and learn.
Song for the night: Map of the World, Pat Metheny
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQSVqMdTVNE
Miss Teen South Carolina answered that question badly, but she’s still got her looks to fall back on…