Volume 65 December 2026-January 2026 : Art & Culture
Stop Starring and Start Learning
Author : Lizzie Velasquez
BOOK REVIEW MARCH 2014Title: BE BEAUTIFUL BE YOU
Author: LIZZIE VELASQUEZ
Publisher: LIGUORI PUBLICATIONS
Reviewer: Lesego Bogatsu
‘STOP STARRING AND START LEARNING`.
The sting of critisism is a very deep wound that never heals easily or properly. A lot of us somewhere, somehow in our lives have doubts about our looks, our character presentation and our status of belonging in society, thus creating a pattern of unattainable aesthetic steriotypes with crucial psychological and intellectual repercussions. This lack of confidence is brought about by the fact that this world places so much emphasis on outer beauty. Lizzie Velasquez, the author of this book who has a rare genetic disorder that prevents her from gaining weight and is half blind, saw it necessary to break this societal issue that has blown out of proportion. When the internet video calling her the world`s ugliest woman went viral, Lizzie went all out to discover what truly makes one beautiful. “My goal wasn`t simly to write a book, see my name on the cover, and feel good about accomplishment. My goal was to share my story in a way that would allow me to connect with each of you and show you how to make your life better. I`m telling you God has a plan for you and that he will walk beside you every day” - Lizzie Velasquez.