Posted on by LydiaA1614

“I’m The Ugliest Girl I Know”

That title is a quote from Pink’s acceptance speech at the VMA awards and refers to what her 6-year-old daughter, Willow, said on her way to school one day. However, it is something I said many times myself at that age and all through my life.

Pink’s speech is very powerful and should be seen by every girl – no, every female regardless of age because sexuality bullying knows no boundaries.

When I was in grade one or two I had to start wearing clunky orthopedic shoes because I was pigeon-toed. They were brown and did actually look like boy’s shoes. Also, my mom kept my hair in a pixy cut. As a result, I was called “a boy in a dress” at school and everywhere I went.

This bullying progressed to being called a dog, a clutz, a fat pig, and other such endearing terms. I tried wearing different types of clothing but nothing seemed to please my peers. This is when I started wearing purple. I loved the colour like my paternal grandmother and made purple corduroy pants way before wearing the colour was “acceptable”.

I began wearing more pants than skirts which just fed the “boy” references so I begged my mother to let me grow my hair out. It didn’t help.

To make matters worse, when I was 12 I got braces. In addition to the old-style “railroad tracks”, I had a bite plate that hung down and showed pink below my teeth and a night guard that I had to wear all day.

I wish I had a Mom like Pink, who had gone through some of the same things and “didn’t change”. I am not saying my Mom wasn’t supportive. She and my grade 5/7 teacher, Mrs. Juk, who I featured awhile back, apparently would meet and cry over my situation. But my Mom could not relate. She was always one of the more popular girls in school. She knew bullying happened but it didn’t happen in her circles.

In junior high I was responsible for printing the newsletter so was able to be in the office to use the copier machine. One day I was leaving with my bundle of pages and the principal was just coming in. He looked over at me and said, “you have a bit of a mustache growing there.” The truth was I did have hair starting to grow under my nose and it bothered me. But to have the principal point it out was more devastating than anything other students ever said. I ran down to my Dad’s store after school and bought facial bleach and tweezers. When I got home I plucked what I could and bleached out the rest. But it was something that stayed with me for most of my life.

I also had a unibrow that I had to pluck and wax regularly. But none of these things bother me anymore.

My first real serious boyfriend was in University. I met him in French class during my first term. We didn’t start dating for several months. I remember overhearing a couple of his friends telling him he could do better than me. I was nice enough but nothing great to look at. He said that my looks didn’t matter to him which made me feel like he agreed but it was okay with him. I never let on I heard that and we dated for about a year. When he broke up with me, he started dating someone else from the residence I lived in. People would say she looked a lot like me. I didn’t dare ask what they meant by that.

I am so proud of Pink for standing up not only for HER daughter but for all those young girls suffering through the same thing.

I have mentioned that when I was eight I tried to take a razor blade to my wrist but my sister came home (and I would have made a mess but wasn’t cutting in the proper direction to kill myself thankfully). I wasn’t diagnosed with depression until my late 20’s; however, the doctor that diagnosed it traced it back to those tormented early years.

I still don’t see myself as beautiful but I do not see myself as ugly either. I am happy in my own skin for the most part. I am trying to lose weight but not for my looks. It will help with the chronic pain and my own self-image.

The ironic thing now is that I have my hair cut similar to a pixie cut because it is the easiest for me to take care of. I wear clunky shoes for the support I need, but they are far more stylish than back when I was six. One pair is raspberry clogs! I also mostly wear long flowing dresses. This isn’t to advertise I am female. They are the most comfortable for my fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis ravaged body!

So to all those Willows out there don’t try to change a thing. Embrace who you are and the world will embrace you too!

Lydia!

I was going to include pictures of me over the years but unfortunately, the scanner isn’t working.  Photo Credit: Gratisography

 

32 Replies to ““I’m The Ugliest Girl I Know””

  1. For some nonsensical reason, a few people have a problem with Pink’s words. Their explanation is that when the audience started laughing at the notion that her daughter is ‘the ugliest girl she knows’ the six-year old wouldn’t be able to establish they were laughing at the stupidity of the comment, rather than laughing at her because she IS ugly.

    I don’t think they give six year olds enough credit. And even if she did get the wrong end of the stick, you would just discuss with the child why the audience was laughing.

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    1. I didn’t hear this side of things but I agree with you completely. And the comment wasn’t stupid. It came from a hurt deep within. I know because I was in the same place. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

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      3. It’s one of my favorites you’ve written. It is raw and honest and real and I think a lot of people identify with your message. Thank you for sharing something so personal and intimate; I know it isn’t easy to do so.

        Liked by 1 person

  5. I was tall and skinny as a grade school kid and got lots of comments like ” what are those strings hanging down from your skirt…oh…those are your legs!” However when I grew up having slim legs was a something everyone wanted. And now look at you writing posts about what your went through. You’re a writer! This post will help others who are still in the battlefield of bullying. Bravo to you.!

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  7. I’ve always been a fan of Pink’s (still a shock to my children) for the way she stands up for herself and others… and I love her voice. I’m not surprised at how she handled the issue with her daughter.

    Peers ‘attempted’ to bully me–the nerdy girl with coke-bottle glasses and an overbite–but fortunately, I had parents with the same mindset as Pink who taught my five sisters and me not “sticks and stones…” but bullying is based in fear, jealousy, or both and to never allow anyone to take your dignity.

    It worked and it’s the same way I raised my children. Today, they are adults who stand up for themselves and others.

    There are countless campaigns to end bullying of all types, but sadly, I don’t think any of them will work as long as adults are still the worst offenders. Educating children and persons at risk of their own value and self-worth will keep bullying from perpetuating itself.

    I also have NO problem with calling out and naming offenders. Many try to hide in anonymity or place blame on others – I believe in holding everyone accountable for their actions.

    My heart goes out to you for what you went through, Lydia. I cannot imagine the emotional pain you dealt with. But I can tell from our blog posts and comments you are a strong woman who prevails despite the many health challenges you face. I know those challenges well and know they can be daunting.

    Pink is awesome and so are you! Keep smiling! ❤

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    1. Felicia, your words touched me deeply. Yes, I have always loved Pink for her music and what she stands for. Whatever little thing I can do to stop someone else from going through what I did I will.

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  8. I am totally following your blog after reading this awesome post. Thank you for sharing! I, too, was the girl with coke-bottle glasses and a huge overbite that my pretty, popular mom didn’t ‘get’. To this day, there are few pictures of my as a baby because I had casts on my legs for a year to deal with a slight birth defect. I can only roll my eyes at that now.

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      1. Yes, our struggles have only made us stronger. I like to think I’m also more open to how different everyone is as well. Just because I like a location or a particular book doesn’t mean anyone else will.

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  9. I am so sorry for all you have been through. To have a principal make a comment like that to a young girl is horrible. I was never bullied as a kid, but when I did see people being bullied, I opened up a can of Indiana whoop ass on them! They didn’t get bullied after that. If there is one thing I learned by sticking up for these kids is that boys don’t like getting their asses kicked by a girl. You go and be your best authentic self.

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  10. Pingback: Vibrant – Ganache and Clunky Clogs – Being Lydia!

      1. You are welcome, but thank you really. I loved your article. It was so powerful and well written and I loved Pink’s video too. Your words and the video touched my heart and soul. Thank you for blessing us with your heart and talent. Love, hugs and many blessings always and forever, Sue

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