The Visually Unconventional Caste

The nicest among the ordinary say only that we have interesting looks, even as they are edging away

Studies indicate that our unattractive, approximately 15%, earn 15-20% less, throughout their lives

We are also the most likely to experience the Disgusted stare then quick look away phenomenon

Of course, with kids it’s different: They unabashedly point & shout: “Mommie! That man looks scary”

No sponsor is going to pay to have some alternatively-appearing actor push their fine products

We won’t get that promotion over a more attractive co-worker who just fits in better with the team

Girls, the cops wont think your clothing got you raped, but rather that your loneliness begged for it

Guys, you can always aspire to the Gentle Ogre stereotype to maybe win at least some rare pity sex

The attractiveness-deprived can find respect at some low station by working hard and keeping quiet

If part of another minority as well, they will stand last on the list of those requiring quota promotion

Sure, hard work will get them ahead, but never as far as others, for their every step is more difficult

So cosmetically-aware are all societies that even the sufferers always accept their lot as simple fate

There is no medical treatment, cosmetic or otherwise and no research for a cure need ever be done

Try and convince a jury that you weren’t promoted to manager due to your alternative appearance…

Media stars fulfill our hardwired drive towards a loving acceptance of only those we deem attractive

Still, our breed lives on forever as we can always (& only) mate with those of our own aspect caste

But, given the prejudice we live thru, is it any wonder that so many of us also turn to food & obesity?

Others will never understand how an unexpected glance into a mirror can bring on a deep depression

It’s actually a relief for the aesthetically-challenged to age since all seniors are deemed unattractive

At least nobody gets lynched or denied service – For we all accept our place, from early childhood on

Ours is no deformity or scar but rather, we are just the revoltingly-gifted caste & remain so for life

Yet, our mothers and grandmothers still love and nurture us, but cannot prepare us for our reception

We can succeed in heads-down, solitary careers as writers, scientists, geeks, plumbers, etc.

The luckiest of us manage to somehow actually overlook the prejudice their differences engender

Happily, many of the appearance-impaired enjoy satisfying careers providing healthcare to others

For their kind words and gentle voices are enough to calm those frightened by disease or injury

Their highly-homely-endowed faces are easy to remember during times of pain and confusion

And they make lasting memories of “that funny looking nurse that was so nice to me when I got sick”

But, often the facially-compromised are snap-judged to be mean or dumb based solely on their looks

And those of us who are also alternatively-gifted wind up with the jobs nobody else wants to do

We do not seek affirmative action on our behalf, merely recognition by others as to how things work

For we, too, look down upon each other as divergent from our shared & ingrained appearance norms