According to National Geographic, North Carolina University studied the dialogue of 12 Disney princess movies. 60 percent of the compliments given to the princesses were related to their appearance and only nine percent related to abilities.

Some may read that with no discomfort, believing that being called ‘beautiful’ is a heartwarming compliment. But when girls are shown, at a young age, that compliments on their appearance rather than their achievements or personality are statistically emphasized more, ‘beautiful’ is no longer a compliment.

I watched almost every Disney princess movie. At such a young age, I idolized these fictional characters. But the only reason I can remember why I did, was because of their beautiful long hair, the extravagant dresses and of course, their perfect love interests. I remember dressing up as Ariel from the “The Little Mermaid” in the first grade, wearing a bright red wig to match her appearance. I can clearly remember what Ariel looks like, but I can’t remember the accomplishments or her story. Despite my love for all the princesses, my Native American heritage attracted me most to Pocahontas. Her beautiful long, dark hair and perfectly shaped body and facial features are still vividly pictured in my head. I wanted to look just like her, just like other Native American beauties that lived.

I did not know what a reservation was until I was in the fourth grade. I didn’t know that Native American women had a 50 percent higher assault rate than other races, or that 34 percent of Native American women would be raped in their lifetime. The Disney movie “Pocahontas” failed to mention the hardships that women go through every day but remembered to point out to Pocahontas how beautiful she was.

Being attractive is something we all strive to be. “When you look good, you feel good,” they say. But for me, when I feel smart, I feel good. When I feel accomplished or confident, I feel good. Being called intelligent or persistent are more heartwarming compliments. I want my hard work to be noticed by others. Frankly, I don’t care if you find me attractive or not.

Our society strives to look perfect, but not act it. Kindness, compassion and selflessness don’t have people bowing to them. Many would rather be complimented on the way they look, rather than the way they treat other people. So I, on the other hand, don’t take being called pretty or beautiful a compliment. I take it as a general statement that should not have to be said by the opposite sex for me to believe. If you would like to compliment me, make it about every hardship I’ve faced and conquered, the racism and judgment I’ve endured, or in short, my personality, not my looks. All women deserve to be complemented based on their achievements, not a genetic trait in which one can not control.