Salon.com Life | Black like me -- but not too black: In March, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons -- with 6,000 members the largest plastic surgery organization in the world -- publicized a study that appeared in its medical journal, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, about new techniques in reshaping the African-American nose. The study, "Rhinoplasty in the African-American Patient," advanced a novel-sounding theory that nose jobs for blacks are now less about diminishing ethnic appearance than about preserving it. Anticipating the skepticism that lay people like me might feel, the association quickly detailed its position. It explained that the timeworn European standard of beauty "has stepped aside, encouraging African-Americans to retain their unique ethnic characteristics while improving their overall look." The pitch contended that "with this shift in attitude, plastic surgeons who appreciate ethnic concepts of beauty and the unique anatomic characteristics of the African-American nose can create the most consistent and best results."
To quote a goodly percentage of the black folk reading the article: "BullSHIT."
To quote my departed grandmother: "If it looks like shit and it smells like shit, it probably is shit, and even if it isn't, why the hell would you want it around?"
I think you get my drift.
Posted by iain at June 16, 2003 05:58 PM
