Ken Schram: We are so quick to judge...

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Summary

Susan Boyle has become an overnight Internet sensation with her soaring rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream," but admit it, before she opened her mouth, you were expecting the worst based on her frumpy appearance.

Story Published: Apr 16, 2009 at 9:56 AM PST

SEATTLE -- Contrary to popularly held opinion, I do have my sentimental moments.

This is one of them.

I'd seen her picture on Internet news stories but hadn't bothered to delve deeper.

Curiosity finally got the better of me.

I found myself drawn in to the story of a 47-year-old woman who lived quietly with her cat in a small Scottish village.

She'd never been married; never been kissed.

She was a target for bullies back in her school days, and the audience for the TV show "Britain Has Talent" was picking up where the bullies left off.

The rather frumpy looking woman was being condescendingly mocked by a trio of judges and the hall full of people.

All were sure that the spinster on stage would soon have them rolling in the aisles with derisive laughter.

And then Susan Boyle was singing. (Watch the video)

We are so quick to judge.

We are so willing to use someone's physical appearance as a gauge of who they are.

We click on how people talk and think we know all about them.

Susan Boyle shows us how wrong we can be.

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