Jessica Simpson's Price of Beauty

Bride to be, Jessica Simpson is probably a bag of stress considering her one million dollar wedding this year, which has already set off speculations of a Middleton like dress. Yet she protested, "no, I got my own inspiration. But I am interested to see." Her dress on the day will not only be influential, like her previous wedding to 98 degree front runner Nick Lachey, but also give motivation for millions of women around the world.                                                                            Why you ask? Well obvious reasons aside, Simpson's involvment in MTV's "The Price of Beauty" recently, has given her more of a voice toward perceptions of beauty. In this series, Simpson travels the world in order to decipher diverse opinions on beauty in different cultures and what she learns, is startling as well as unusual to American beauty ideals. Representing a charity project, with Operation Smile, the project called "A Beautiful Me", was set up to help many women all over the world. Alongside best friend CaCee and hairstylist buddy Ken, Jessica travels to India, Uganda,Morrocco, Japan, Brazil and many other cities in a search for wisdom, as well as a chance to help those in need when concerned with women's beauty and confidence. 

Jessica proclaims to want to meet these women, in an attempt to "study local fashions, dietary fads and beauty regimes." Her emotional journey begins in Thailand where she meets Panya, who has a skin condition because she vigorously uses skin lightener which has burned and peeled the last of her skin. Jessica rewards her with a superstar makeover which opens up this quiet,reserved and embarrassed woman. She is finally able to leave her house without feeling insecure and paranoid and her reveal, is an emotional one to say the least. 

Simpson also visits Uganda where she learns women are fattened up months before their weddings and concealed in a hut due to the perception of fat as beautiful. Jessica is told by the Ugandan men that she looks good in her ugandan attire, but needs to put on weight. This shocks Jessica and Cecee, who admit that it's "the complete opposite of everything I've ever known." 

Nevertheless, though Jessica Simpson represents American beauty, it is at times troubling to watch her uncover beauty ideals in other countries being of white ethnicity which is a stark contrast, being exceptionally beautiful and travelling to far away lands, quietly judging their traditions and ways of life as she outwardly did in Brazil. 
On the other hand, she does uncover many similarities to American perceptions of beauty which brought many common issues to the table. For example, Anorexia Nervosa on the runways of Paris and the harmful, frightening effect it has on very young girls eating habits, or lack thereof. Weight issues are sensitive to a once fresh faced Jessica, who worked out day and night in order to gain a extremely buff body for her role in Dukes of Hazzard in  2005. Her continuous weight loss, gained her the title of one of the top bodies in Hollywood, yet after her divorce to Nick Lachey, the singer began gaining weight. 

Jessica at her skinniest after Dukes Of Hazzard release

Jessica as Daisy Duke

2009

2009 introduced a heavier Jessica, but a happier one at that. Many admire Jessica because she doesn't defend her weight gain, rather embraces it claiming ''curves are better. I don't get the whole rail thing. It's not good for your heart, it's not good for your mind; it's emotionally destructive, it really is.'

Jessica's own ideals have shaped her views on beauty, especially in this show which I'd recommend to all the girls. It's diversity and truthfulness may open up your mind on what beauty actually is. 

Just as Jessica said:
"Have confidence in this skin. 

Be confident in this skin.
Be real, be real.
See the beauty inside this skin .
I'm beautiful.
And your beautiful."

Stephen Lawrence: Still an open case

"They [the police] treated the affair as gang war, and from that moment on their attitude can only be described as white masters during slavery."- Doreen Lawrence: Stephen Lawrence's mother.
Some of you may be familiar with the heartbreaking murder case of Stephen Lawrence eighteen years ago. Stabbed to death in Eltham South London on his way home, eighteen year old student Stephen, was subject to a racial attack on the night of April 22nd 1993, by a gang of white youths. 
Though there were five suspects early on in the case, these men escaped conviction and were released on bail with a further arrest , and yet another bail , due to lack of evidence. 
Despite the arrests ''the corruption and the conscious and unconscious racism that afflicted the police force investigating Stephen Lawrence's murder" is where there appeared pressing evident problems between the police and Stephens parents, as well as reactions from the public and authoritative figures like  Tony Blair and David Blunkett.
There appeared a dissatisfaction with the police investigation by the Stephens, who felt ridiculed and a nuisance to the authorities. The issue of a young black boy being stabbed seemed low priority and after a public inquiry began, police were still perceived as having a "cavalier attitude to evidence from Stephen Lawrence's friend Duwayne Brooks." He witnessed the build up to his friends murder, but managed to run to safety and recalled the murderers as shouting "What what nigger" prior to the attack.  The dismissal of his eye witness evidence, angered the Lawrence family as another eyewitness was asked to recall what they saw five whole years after the murder, including an artists impression of the men. For future use, the Lawrence case did have an effect on police priority when concerned with racial attacks.  It was stated:

"The Macpherson report also recommends extending the 1976 Race Relations Act to cover the police, armed forces and immigration service. This would allow individuals and the Commission for Racial Equality to bring legal action against the police. The report also suggests making the use racist language in society a criminal offence."

After 18 years,two men will be prosecuted over Stephen’s murder due to new sufficient evidence, which seemed to come eighteen years too late.  Mrs Lawrence said "‘When the judgment was read out, my heart missed a beat. It was as though I had dived into the sea and had been forced to hold my breath until my lungs were bursting, and then – when the decision came – I could come up for air. Now I look forward to seeing justice at last. It has been a very long road."

Home Secretary Jack Straw
"I want this report to serve as a watershed in our attitudes to racism. I want it to act as a catalyst for permanent and irrevocable change, not just across our public services but across the whole of our society."

Royal Wedding Bliss-Classic for Eternity.....

I fawned over Kate's Alexander McQueen,on the verge of tears from the beauty of it all,as did many.Who knew royalty could pull off such a stunning event ? The lovely ceremony began on Friday morning with the arrival of guests such as Boris Johnson, David and Victoria Beckham and a early Elton John, alongside the likes of Tara Palmer Tomkinson and David Cameron. 

Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice arrive

Guests also included ninety four members of the royal family including Queen Elizabeth dressed in yellow, and Goldsmiths student Princess Beatrice and her sister Princess Eugenie. Former prime minister John Major was also invited who was actually appointed special guardian of Harry and William after their mothers death in 1997 due to the Queens personal friendship with Major. William wore his red Irish guards tunic as confirmed, alongside his brother and best man Harry's black attire.Both looked nervous and arrived half an hour before the blushing bride. 

The thorough ceremony captured two confirmations of ''I will'' which equalled in a hearty cheer from thousands outside in the crowd, which William and Kate obviously heard. At this point Kate was no longer a commoner as she has been called in the past, but a princess and duchess. 

After many hymns, speeches and a awkward ring squeeze, the lovely couple were officially wed and ready to face the world. 

If anything, Catherine stole the show, William becoming Peter Andre for the day. The public's familiarity with her as if she were or is a friend, has both it's negative and positive viewpoints. 

This is the view which made Kate proclaim "Oh My!" as she stepped onto the balcony

Thousands of Londoners stood tattering the union jack until it was on its last legs, but with a hard jab in the air at that. The pride of this day in London was like no other. Green Park became like a forbidden paradise where some longed to climb the palaces gates as we do in the heat.  

At precisely 1:25pm , the newlyweds appeared slowly on the balcony to have the highly anticipated traditional first kiss which dates all the way back to1923. The human tidal wave below cheered until their were dry throats, fully appreciating the young couples new titles and marriage, which represented the U.K beautifully. Now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the royal couple satisfied hundreds of extravagantly dressed television reporters who were placed all around the palace like a swat team and captured the million pound shot. 

With the loud click clack of hooves and occasional orders from police, many Britons who had slept overnight near the palace grounds were finally rewarded and able to catch a glimpse of Kate and Wills passing through and waving a less than artificial hearty hello. 

Never short on parties especially on a bank holiday, many Britons celebrated with street parties which I'm sure had extra cucumber sandwiches to last days.  

After the kiss, the last the public saw of the couple, was their entrance into the palace accompanied by 186 horses and then later their journey to the reception that night after a change of clothes. The main act Ellie Goulding performed her rendition of guest Elton Johns "Your Song" encapsulating it as a "very surreal, incredible experience. I will never forget it. It was amazing."  Insiders revealed Prince Harry as becoming emotional, breaking down in tears as he labelled Kate as "like a sister" whereby she too became emotional. The two Princes became doubly emotional as they made a tribute to their mother Diana, and their father Charles tried to lighten the mood by telling funny stories of Williams childhood whilst Harry changed the subject joking about Williams baldness. 

Though apparent how much pressure comes with marrying a prince, nonetheless the son of the late Princess Diana, I and many others hope Kate is able to live out the promises she has made in the past about her position now, whereby she is able to make a change and do good for others.  Other than that, congratulations to both on  a beautiful wedding and I wish them well in the future.