We are on the same plane. The last couple weeks I have been physically approached by violent people, and to be blunt it is my scars, size, and demeanor that kept them away.
I think what I am not communicating well is that this language is part of a power transfer. Yesterday I was walking back home, a miscreant started talking shit about me on the street. Of course while walking I turn around, with a mischievous grin, point directly at him and yell, “’'Sup!”, with all my obvious scars.
The more subtle message is that ugly can be a positive tool. Like in that situation, it saved my ass from getting into an altercation. However, it is more often used as a pejorative to put someone down. Which I have a problem with.
Similar to sports jerseys that are retired, I think this word should be retired. Not forgotten, not unspoken, but it has done its job.
As an aside, if I didn’t carry a certain amount of ugliness–lets now call it strength–i wouldn’t be here today.
