edith tove

One of the fundamental beliefs I will always stand by is that physical ugliness does not exist. In any real sense, from any viewpoint that values humanity. I love what Chelsea Peretti once said, paraphrasing: “We’re all a little ugly. If you think hard enough, we’re all just so weird walking around in our skin, with these eyes, noses, fingers and everything. Humans are weird little freaks”. That’s the only take about the concept I can get behind because it rings true of the inherent strangeness of existence. Otherwise, there’s no part of oppression caused by beauty standards that isn’t explained by countless systemic holes in the fabric of society stemming from bigotry. Racism, ableism, misogyny etc. And bigotry of any kind is deplorable and anti-human. Beauty is so much more ethereally felt and observed. Moral ugliness is a thing, because it’s the opposite of what real beauty is, that’s why I can’t perceive anyone as beautiful until I get to hear them speak, see their behaviour, character and essence, in motion, in bloom. I can acknowledge they’re attractive by societal norms, but acknowledgment does not equal endorsement. One of my all time favourite things that I think I saw on here was a post from years ago talking about that confrontation with the meaning of beauty in love that went along the lines of: “Beauty standards ain’t shit cause when you look at the person you love it’s just: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️”. And that’s it really.