Have you seen the recent YouTube clip of Jonathan and Charlotte’s audition for “Britain’s Got Talent?” Once again Simon Cowell put his foot in it. He took one look at the shy, overweight young man as he walked out on stage and turned to whisper to his fellow judges, “Just when you think it couldn’t get worse.” (Mind you, he could have been referring to the lovely Charlotte’s decision to wear boots with an otherwise smart outfit of red jacket and black pants… … … Nah!) You’d think he’d have learned his lesson from Susan Boyle but no, his bias against fat, not-so-fashion-conscious and not-so-pretty people once again reared its ugly head. And, sadly, most of the audience were right there with him. I cheered when Jonathan stunned everyone with his bone-tingling voice. As he sang I thought to myself: He’s like a young Pavarotti. I thought it interesting that as the duo left the stage, Cowell said, “I haven’t heard a voice like that since Pavarotti.” Which goes to show the man does have some sense. Pity it’s buried underneath the weight of his prejudice.

Why do people immediately assume fat people are stupid, useless and a big joke? What have we done to deserve such labelling? I don’t look at skinny people and immediately assume they’re neurotic, scatter-brained and obnoxious. I don’t look at short people and assume they’re all rejects from the Snow White movie. I don’t look at all tall people and assume they play basketball. I mean, on the law of averages, at least some of them could play football! In a preshow interview Charlotte said, “We shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. We should read the book and find out what it’s about.” Sage advice from an intelligent and compassionate young woman.

Back in the 1800s, that was the only way to judge a book. They practically all came in a plain cover with just a touch of gilt edging on the spine. You had to read the thing to decide if it was worth keeping in the pool room, or donating to the poor. These days books are often sold or rejected on the strength of the cover alone. That seems a real tragedy to me. Regardless of the cover art, I always read the first couple of paragraphs. These tell me 1) If I’ve read it before. (I have a bad memory for titles), 2) If I like the author’s “voice” and 3) If my interest is piqued. I then read the blurb on the back of the cover to see if the precis of the story, keeps my interest piqued.

In today’s world, appearances and first impressions are often the deciding factor in making friends; getting a job; getting a loan; making a sale; being appreciated; being listened to; getting promoted or finding love. Now, I’m not saying appearances aren’t important. I’m all for being clean and reasonably well-groomed. It tells me you care for yourself and you won’t smell, which means I can stand being near you for any length of time. (I know it’s a bit shallow but I have a very sensitive nose.) But, I refuse to judge someone on whether they meet my culture’s standard of beauty, or whether they are younger or older than thirty five.

One of the things I’m passionate about is Grace. This world could do with a great big dollop of it spread over every community, into every home and given generously to every individual. How will it happen? Well, it begins with you and me. Spread the love and grace, people, and make the world a better place. And, at least open the cover and read a bit of the book before deciding it’s not for you.