"You should be on the news, you're so pretty."
Yes, some would take the phrase above as a compliment, an achievement, even a trophy to place on the highest of shelves. However, after completing my fifth semester of college, I don't.
No, I'm not stuck up. No, I do not believe that I'm not pretty. No, I do not believe I wouldn't be a fantastic candidate for broadcast media. However, these are not the points I'm trying to make and I'm going to tell you why.
I heard these words after finishing another semester of college where I spent endless nights in the library pushing to keep my near perfect GPA impeccable. I was ready to unwind at a holiday party with family when someone asked me what would come next after college. I simply said that I wanted to work for a news media organization that I can excel in.
The answer was not, 'Oh, that sounds like an exciting field,' or 'What kind of news organization.' The answer was: 'You should be on the news, you're so pretty.' Not smart, funny, outgoing, etc.
At first, I said thank you and went along with the rest of the conversation because it isn't the first time I have gotten the compliment under this set of circumstances.
Unfortunately, I'm actually pretty used to it.
Later in the night, it just started eating at me. I have had the same "compliment" plenty of times, I have even attempted modeling in the past. Why should someone's opinion of my appearance bother me? That's simple, it was the way it was said.
Before this was said, my mother went into detail about how well I was doing. My near perfect test scores, an internship with a news outlet, the on-campus writing position I had recently started, the sorority I was accepted into, the dance club I was choreographing for, even this news organization I just began writing for; an entire list of accomplishments. Why did they not notice that? Why did they take all of my accomplishments, squash them into practically nothing and then base my future off of my pretty face? I had a full resume, filled to the brim with accomplishments and extra-curricular activities all smashed under three simple words: 'you're so pretty'.
I'm not saying that I don't like being considered attractive, I'm not going to say that I don't love the occasional compliment when it comes my way. I'm saying that when it comes down to it, my grades, my accomplishments and my activities should mean more, in regards to my career, than my face.
So when it comes down to it, I should be on T.V. one day and I hope I get that chance. Not because I'm 'pretty' but because I'm a hard working, intelligent young woman who takes opportunities to further my experience and be the best person in my career field possible.
