Ditch The Disrespecting

Never have I understood why people absentmindedly criticize the appearances of others every single day, whether it be mentally or audibly. In fact, many have began to place this act of judging others as a fundamental part of their lives. 

Being judgmental is useless because it benefits neither the speaker nor the victim. Society has fallen into the habit of supporting those who appear to act in the same manner as themselves, yet judging, rather than admiring, those who are different. Take the clothing choices of women, for example, who are so often evaluated by the style they choose to display. If a woman is wearing a typical outfit, she may be judged for dressing too basic; if she were to rock a unique and chic outfit, some may question why she finds it necessary to dress in such a proper way. They struggle to be accepted for what they desire in society. 

This idea became even more apparent in Deborah Tannen’s “There Is No Unmarked Woman,” which notes the impact of women's appearances in society. She explains how one's decision to not style her hair in a distinct manner can “disqualify her from many positions” and even “diminish her as a person” (554). This concept is astonishing because it demonstrates how society so easily makes judgements toward others for such meaningless reasons and without any understanding of why these people choose to appear the way that they do; maybe they cannot afford to get their hair styled professionally or maybe they believe that a simplistic appearance is the best way of life. No matter the circumstance, it is not acceptable to make unwarranted judgements for something as minor as the appearance of individuals.