Of Breasts and Beauty

Actress Angelina Jolie has undergone a preventive double mastectomy last month as revealed by The New York Times.

 

She wrote an opinion piece, titled "My Medical Choice,"  which can be found here explaining why she decided to go through with the surgery.

 

And all of a sudden, people think it’s a big deal.

 

It is.  But not if we look at the bigger picture – life.  

 

She wants to stay alive, for her family, husband and children.

We all value our lives.  And we will do anything to stay alive not only for ourselves but for the people who matter to us. 

 
Just read this open open letter to Angelina by cancer survivor Lisa Hayden and I dare you not to be inspired. 

This is a choice a lot of us make every single day.  And for Angelina, the decision to undergo mastectomy might be a harder one due to society’s expectations.  But if hundreds of women each day risk their lives (and die) undergoing various operations to be beautiful, then this choice should not come as a surprise.

Sadly, we all live in a society where women are continously dying to be beautiful.

But when all else is taken into account and one’s life is at risk, beauty, fame and money are of no importance.

 

Sometimes vanity had to give way to survival.

That’s the hierarchy of things.

Thank you Angie for reminding us of this.

Note:  Image courtesy of news trick.com