This blog has a Bebo (yes, I feel like a fraud, but it's too late now - I've been and done it...), and I was scanning around profiles just now, to look for content ideas when I came across this; Beauty Kills, a group which I think is an absolute travesty.

Source: Beauty Kills

When I first read the profile, I was a very happ bunny, indeed. I thought that it was a brilliant group, with a brilliant moral message;

"Beauty in itself is not evil.

Beauty does not walk, talk, scheme and plan. Beauty is, however, something that we humans have managed to mold into a razor-sharp weapon with deadly poison. Whispers of vicious, poisonous barbs are heard all over the world, every hour of every day.

"He's too fat."
"Her hair is frizzy."
"Her makeup is smudged."
"His eyes are too close together."
"Her teeth aren't straight or white enough.""

But, then I read further;

"Are you really brave enough to find out what people think about you?
Then ask for your picture up.
Read the blog for more information."

That's right; teenagers from across the world, mostly girls, it has to be said, are posting their best photos on this site, to see which category they will be put into;

1. Perfection.
2. Stunners.
3. Pretty.
4. Hot Hair.
5. Hot Make up.
6. Nothing special.
7. Just Delete

Now, is that not just a little bit wrong? Seriously? I mean... we're all human beings, and none of us is perfect, for starters, but we're all unique, too, and we can't be judge by the same criteria as everyone else. Until I met Rachel, my wonderful editor, I used to be one of those people who wouldn't wear skirts or nice tops because they made me feel vulnerable to comments; I wouldn't wear make-up for fear of being categorised. But, ironically, it was working in the fashion industry which made me realise that everyone is beautiful in their own way - and that's not to say that I think I'm beautiful (I don't), it's just saying that I'm happy as who I am now. I've accepted me as me, and I can step out and smile, and ignore people's opinions... but groups like Beauty Kills are just exploiting the vulnerable in order to make the confident more so - and hardly anyone seems to think that it's a bad thing.

There is, thankfully, only one girl in the "Nothing Special" category, and I'd hazard that it wasn't the best photo she'd ever taken of herself, anyway. But, most of the voters categorised her as "Nothing Special", something that I think is disgusting.

A few people stood out from the crowd, saying "what is wrong with you people?? the only reason yu aint being nice is cuz she aint wearing makeup!! she has NATURAL BEAUTY - a rare thing so get over it", "Does no one else see this as wrong? Everyone is beautiful in their own way!!!" and "Nothing Special?
Might be something special to someone", in the way that only angry Bebo kids can.

There is one commet, however, which I think epitomises my views of this group -

"i just dont get the voting system....
your all about saying everyone is beautiful one minute and then you look at the pictures and you have a voting system...
the truth may hurt but this is just a disgrace
everyone is beautiful in their own way"

Actually, no... make that two comments which epitomise my views on this group -

"i wonder how many more fucked up pages like this are on bebo.."

Well said.

I hate that people can be degraded in this way - the world (contrary to what many fashion editrs may tell you) is not all about aesthetics... and, even if it were, we are all different; unique; and it is wrong to categorise people using the same criteria.

What's that famous saying again?

Oh yeah.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

LoveLoveLove

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