The Beauty in Our Beast

The scene that stands out most poignantly about the new rendition of Disney's Beauty and the Beast is when Belle, characterized by Emma Watson, holds up the magic mirror to show the townspeople that the beast is real. They shudder at his existence and his appearance, calling him a monster, a beast, one worthy of their wrath. In his defense, Belle challenges the townspeople, saying he is not a beast.. he is gentle and caring and in an ironic turn of events calling the handsome Gaston the real beast.

This scene is, in my mind, the crux of the film: the juxtaposition of physically appearance with inner beauty really captures the moral of this classic Disney fable. The outward beauty of Gaston that gains him such fame and affection from others is but a ruse to his inner ugliness that is seen over and over again through his lack of virtue. And more touching yet, that a man who has become beastly by his circumstances, is loved unconditionally not by "the color of [his] skin but by the content of [his] character." And the heroine of the film, chooses the later. Ah, what a world, where virtue reigns over appearance. A world that Martin Luther King dreamed about.

This classic parable that juxtaposes the elusive virtue of beauty with the savage haggardness of an inner beast, seems all too relevant in today's increasingly combative and judgmental society. We are all too quick to point a finger at the other as the 'beast,' seeing ourselves as the righteous 'beauty' trying to mend the wrongs of others.

But the true 'beauty' doesn't ever try to fix the 'beast.' Because the beast must simply accept the goodness in himself. She only becomes a canvas upon which he can allow his goodness to reemerge. She doesn't judge him. She doesn't change him. She simply tries to KNOW him. And in knowing, she realizes that he has warmth, sincerity, courage and compassion.

Everyone's 'beast' is different and he changes with time: Native American Indians who were simply living their life until their land was taken away, Jews massacred for simply looking different in Germany during World War II, the Japanese in America punished for the bombing at Pearl Harbor, Palestinians fighting for their homeland, Black men and women forced to serve as slaves and still seeking equal treatment, misunderstood Muslims simply trying to explain their faith, and White men and women looking to make sure they don't lose their identity in the growing racial mix.

If we look more closely, we can actually understand that each of these racial, cultural, religious groups isn't much different from the other. We all want the same things: safety, security, a sense of identity, a good quality of life for our family and our children, a hopeful future, and perhaps... world peace.

If this imaginative tale can leave us with a message for these precarious times, it is this: Learn to understand the other, regardless of appearance, before making any judgements and perhaps we will find the Beauty in our Beast.