Watch Beauty and the Beast: The Ugly Face of Prejudice
- 2011
- 2 Seasons
Beauty and the Beast: The Ugly Face of Prejudice is a Channel 4 documentary that explores the impact that physical appearance can have on a person's life. The show is hosted by journalist and cross-bench peer Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, who herself uses a wheelchair.
Throughout the documentary, Baroness Grey-Thompson meets with individuals who have faced discrimination or prejudice due to their physical appearance. This includes a woman who was born with a facial disfigurement and has experienced bullying and harassment throughout her life, as well as a man who lost his nose to cancer and has faced difficulties with daily tasks such as eating and breathing.
The show also features interviews with experts in the field of appearance-based discrimination, including psychologists and sociologists. Together, they discuss the societal pressures that contribute to negative attitudes towards those with physical differences, and offer potential solutions for combatting these biases.
One of the key themes of the show is the impact that media and popular culture can have on the way individuals perceive physical appearance. Baroness Grey-Thompson meets with a cosmetic surgeon who discusses the increase in demand for procedures such as rhinoplasty and breast augmentation, which can be directly attributed to the way beauty standards are perpetuated in the media.
Beauty and the Beast: The Ugly Face of Prejudice also examines the intersectionality between physical appearance and other identities, such as race and gender. The show features interviews with individuals who have experienced discrimination due to the way their appearance intersects with their identity, such as a black woman who has faced racism and colorism in addition to discrimination related to her weight.
Throughout the documentary, Baroness Grey-Thompson emphasizes the importance of visibility and representation for individuals with physical differences. She meets with a children's author who has created a series of books featuring disabled characters, and discusses the impact that representation can have on younger generations.
Overall, Beauty and the Beast: The Ugly Face of Prejudice offers a thought-provoking exploration of the impact that physical appearance can have on a person's life. The show is insightful, empathetic, and emphasizes the need for greater awareness and acceptance of diversity in all forms.