In between the evening wear and bathing suit competitions, I realized that these contestants only represented a small percentage of women in the U.S. and, therefore, I couldn't believe that we would consider one of them our Miss America.
As I watched Miss Nebraska, Miss Florida, Miss Rhode Island and Miss Missouri chronicling their experiences at this year's pageant, I began to consider what a Miss America pageant is all about. I understand, of course, that each contestant must go through a grueling series of competitions to prove what a well-rounded woman she is. However, how does being interviewed, parading in bathing suits and evening wear and performing a talent, all the while flashing a bright, bleached smile, represent a true American woman? None of the women who strode across that stage possessed even the slightest semblance of the American women I've met in my life.
Most of the pageant takes place before any of it is televised to the public. The interview, which is considered by the contestants to be the most important and most difficult part of the entire pageant, is not televised. So, if the opinions and views of our representative Miss America are not even shared with the American people, what do we know of her? The parts we get to learn about our Miss America are materialistic and superficial. We only see her in her prom dress or teeny-tiny bikini performing a specific talent that will separate her from the rest of the women hoping to wear that beautiful diamond crown.
What blows me away is that the broadcasting companies that televise these pageants decide to show 50 living Barbie dolls as American women instead of demonstrating the importance of the knowledge and confidence a woman should possess. It is no wonder that the youth of America is suffering from eating disorders. Young girls believe that all women should be 5'11," 115 pounds and wear size two pants. Although some Amherst women still seem to believe this, that is not how most women in America are built.
The Miss America pageant is largely tradition these days. However, it should no longer be called the Miss America pageant if it does not begin to change the standards of its competition. Miss America should be a role model for young women of America, not a superficial beauty queen. If the pageant concentrated on the interview and talents more than beauty aspect of it, it could then truly become a pageant for young women hoping to receive scholarship money for college instead of a pretty sash and crown.
During this time, when being American means more than it ever has, we should not be looking for the most beautiful woman to represent our American ladies. We should turn to a strong, smart and confident leader to guide us through this very difficult time. So, until they change the name or the pageant, I will continue to protest this parade of make-up and smiles that we call the Miss America Pageant.