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Updated 100 Days ago

You're Not Pretty Enough. Translation: 'Not Good Enough.'

That's what China said to the 7 year-old whose voice appeared in the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic games. Instead of having Yang Peiyi (photo right) perform during the ceremony, Chinese officials dropped her saying that she was not pretty enough. They replaced her with a 9 year old  TV ad princess (photo left) who lip-synched the song.

Here are the photos of the 2 girls. First of all, I think they are both cute. I don't see what the big deal was.

But, more importantly, this is wrong. What kind of message are they sending to the clearly very talented 7 year old girl and millions of other little girls around the world? "Yes, you are talented. But that's not enough in this world. You have to have it all. And you have to be pretty too."

That little girl will remember for the rest of her life that she was not good enough. No matter what anyone says, she will carry that with her.

It's bad enough that our little girls (and boys) have to grow up in our overachieving society, where kids are pressured to be well-rounded...which translates into overscheduled and tired kids.

But now, when you find your real talents (which not all of us are lucky enough to do)....it's still...not good enough.

My dad has told me since I was a little girl, that no matter what, I am always worth 1.000. No more, no less. It's my reminder that my worth can never change. It's our basic right as human beings. We are born worthy. I guess the Chinese didn't get the memo.

About The Author:

Super Producer of the Most Super Morning Show in St. Louis


  • Merry 98 Days ago
    I just saw on the news about a young woman who was groomed for a Olympic team, but didn't make the cut eventually. Now her mother & she lives in poverty. The world has to learn that China IS that way and only want us to see what THEY want us to see.
  • JSR 98 Days ago
    Before we judge, we have to remember in this country, when a performer gets on stage, they have probably had 1. veneers on their teeth 2. stylist 3. plastic surgery of some sort 4. diet plan
    I guess it didnt occur to them to have her "surgically enhanced", but we're pretty smitten with beauty in this country as well
  • JohnnyMoad 96 Days ago
    Annie, I agree 110%. The Chinese are about as uptight as they come. How does anyone have the right to say a 7 year old child is not beautiful enough? Every child IS unique in their own way and has every right to live life like a child and away from our commercialized societies.
    Yes, we do too fall victim to all of this but I can promise someone would be getting ridiculed to the max if this happened in America, the land of freedom and opportunities. All they had to do if they felt like her appearance wasn't what they hoped was some cosmetics. A little blush here, some eyeliner, lipstick, put her hair in pigtails like the other girl and boom. Got yourself a cookie-cutter little Nickelodeon China girl. It's about finding your gifts and using them for YOU. I am a Union drywall finisher and you don't see me going into a house, finishing my work, and then some other guy walking out saying "Look what I did, looks purdy good don't it"? HELLS NO, you don't see that. Tell Aretha Franklin she isn't pretty enough to be on stage and sing her songs. Then proceed to duck in case she throws a hammer punch. Hey, just one more reason I'm proud to be an American.

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