What is beauty?

In an effort to begin the discussion that we will continue at our meeting next week, I wanted to share some thoughts on what beauty is. The term "beauty" comes from the Latin word bellus which means beautiful/ fine. The word developed into the modern English pronounciation from the Old French word beaute. Oxford English dictionary sites the definition of beauty as "a combination of qualities, such as shape, color, or form, that pleases the aesthetic senses, especially the sight." Like any word however, beauty has many meanings and is different for each indiviual. 

According to Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, beauty can be directly tied to ones emotions as portrayed with a line from their famous version of Cinderella in which the prince sings, "Do I love you because you're beautiful, or are you beautiful because I love you?" Confuscious being the great thinker and philosopher that he is says, "Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it." Actress and comedian Roseanne Barr takes a more literal view of beauty saying, "Beauty comes in all sizes, not just size 5." My challenge to you all is that you create your own definition of beauty that portrays your sentiments on the word.

Additonally, being the psychology major that I am, I found a study that discusses the European influence on what African American females on college campuses think of as beauty. I found it very interesting and it could be something we include in our discussion of beauty. Hope everyone enjoys their Fall Break and I will see you all next Thursday!

~Jasmine

Article: Aesthetic Resistance to Commercial Influences: The Impact of the Eurocentric Beauty Standard on Black College Women