“When the Other-Dancer is the Self” and “Beauty” have the theme “Beauty“beauty is subjective” in common. I chose this theme because the text and clip both portray several examples that support this theme. In the text, Walker’s perception of beauty is developed through her life-longlifelong journey to ultimately accept her appearance after an accident during her childhood that left her right eye blind and deformed. During this journey, she transforms from a conceited child that is constantly praised and admired for her appearance, to a young woman who was suddenly overwhelmed by shame and the feelings of self-worthlessnessself-loathing that her injury has caused her. It’s not until she undergoes a surgical procedure to improve the appearance of her eye that she starts to find acceptance withfor herself. She provesdemonstrates that society’s idea of “beautiful” has the ability to change one’s outlook on life and is ultimately reflected in the way one carries themselves.
The clip was set in the 1930s, featuring a black woman interviewing to be the housekeeper of a white widow. She fails to get the job on the first try, so she uses her ability to change people’s appearances to impress the lady. The message of this film is that "you are enough." You don’t need to have a certain characteristic to be special to someone. You shouldn’t have to change what you look like to be called beautiful. Overall, the things you find beautiful are based on your own personal preferences.