The Susan Boyle Miracle

At the service I attended today they talked about Susan Boyle. Just in case you have been under a rock for the past week and don't know who she is, she is the underdog who did so well on Britain's version of American Idol. You can watch her here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ut68Set-w0o&feature=bz302

I can't watch American Idol because there are so many people they show who have no business being on stage, and people (including the judges) make fun of them. I can't watch or participate in it. It seems to me like these people are shown for two reasons:

1) They are narcissistic and would do anything to be on television.
2) People love laughing at those who try and fail.

Susan Boyle changed all that. She was a socially awkward, brain damaged, older woman who absolutely everyone had written off as a joke. One of the judges even acknowledged how "cynical" everyone had become in writing her off. But she went ahead and did her best and showed them they were wrong.

This film clip shows something about human nature according to Mark Blankenship:

this clip enacts a story that we want to be true. No matter how much we mock those we consider beneath us, it's much more satisfying to be reminded that everyone has dignity.

That's because when we laugh at someone for being a freak, we're laughing out of fear. We're laughing because we want to prove that we are not like that loser over there. If we can shame the people who don't belong, then we can prove that we do.

When we embrace an outsider, though, we're paving the way for our own acceptance in the future. Eventually, we'll all feel like outcasts, and none of us wants to be laughed at. The Susan Boyle Story suggests we won't be. Instead of fearing for our own eventual shame, we can count on society to hear what's beautiful in us. We can trust that if we just show our true selves, we will be embraced.

So, thank you Susan for reminding us that we all have something to give and that we should not dismiss someone because of their age, social standing, or looks.