Replies to '03/26 "Change My Face, Change My Race"'

Brian,

Just wanted to say that your life is just that - YOUR life. do whatever you need to make you happier.

But I also wanted to say that when you came on the show, all I said was, "... wow, that guy is adorable!" I would never even have noticed your nose if it hadn't been the subject.

And I was in italy last year, and I must say, the stereotype is true, there is nothing like a Roman nose on a cute guy! And that's a good thing! Very statuesque and manly.

But again, your nose is yours to do with as you please! Hope you like your new one!

And remember ...
Every Roman Knows,
J

If you see this, I have this to say to you. Honestly don't think there's anything wrong w/ how you look, simply b/c you're Italian, and that's how Italians look. I'm a milk chocolate-skinned Afro-American and know what it's like to feel bad about how I look in comparison to white people. I've also been picked on in times past b/c of how I look in general. I hate my kinky hair [which is VERY hard to manage], gummy smile, and small breasts and would change [the latter two] of them if I could afford it. But I'm not white and never WILL be, and I've accepted that, although my race still tends to face discrimination from time to time. I bet you don't know what THAT'S like, having to worry about whether or not you'll get hired at places like Starbucks, Old Navy, and other high-end stores simply b/c you're black and considered 'ugly' simply b/c you look just the opposite of the white race. But technically you're white, anyway, b/c many Italians [as well as Jews] are considered white. But I know that I will never have blond hair, blue eyes, and fine hair, and I've accepted that more and more over the years. I've matured and have somehow been programmed to see ALL races as beautiful in their own individual way, so I don't understand why people of other races will even want to look white.

Dear Brad,

I think everyone missed the whole point. You are not trying to change your ethnicity, you want to change some physical feature that you are not happy with. If your nose doesn't define who you are, as so many people are shouting, then what difference does it make if you change it? I think it's very selfish of your relatives to give you so much grief about it. If they had stepped up and protected you from excessive teasing, then they might have something to say now. Didn't say it then, then don't say it now. Good luck on your surgery and do what you want. Take care,

CR