Ivan Hu, Period 7, 3/1/23

 Socio-Political Consciousness

     “Lookism” - a South Korean webcomic made popular with the supernatural concept of a high school student being able to switch between two bodies: one that is deemed ugly by society and another that is seen as handsome. 

     When searching for this word in Google, only information about the recent Netflix animation, past live-action series, and the original work itself pop up on top of the results. With these exciting adaptations of Bak Tae Jun’s creation, this long-standing form of prejudice based on physical appearance has been heavily shadowed and romanticized by modern culture. 

     Let’s say that a feeble man with scruffy clothes entered the train from an MTA station. Most passengers would have become cautious just by being around this person. Some would even move seats to be away from him even if he showed no malicious intent. I would have done the same, my parents included. We are drawn to engage in our fight-or-flight response because our perception of homelessness often correlates to the image of mental instability in NYC. It is not that we don’t empathize with these individuals, but rather we accept the effect of systemic corruption in our values of self-protection: “if you see something, say something.” 

     None of the actions or beliefs are necessarily immoral. However, the fact that we discriminate against others by how they look daily shows our desensitization to this ongoing problem with our exposure to media and real-life experiences.

     Lookism can be even more extreme when targeted to people with conditions, such as Tourette’s syndrome and autistic spectrum disorder. We often stigmatize their inability to conform to the norms at first glance. Nonetheless, most of us make an effort to spread affection to them without furthering our indulgence to resist change. 

     If we look back to the first U.S. debate to be televised decades ago, it was apparent who most people paid attention to. With JFK’s subtle gestures, such as wearing a dark suit or looking directly to the camera, it swayed the audience to believe that he could possibly outdo Nixon, who was clearly not educated in TV etiquette. This comes to prove that one’s presentation and youthfulness can alter our judgment in them.

     In my previous years, I have felt the sensations I described above, not knowing better and being ignorant more than anything else. But, after spending time reading articles about people who are marginalized and mirroring our iniquity in my work, “The Tale of Lupus,” I have come to notice the flaws of our city as a 17-year-old that will soon decide for himself as a young adult and as a citizen.