Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach
Miss Philippines
By Cheryl Mattox Berry
Reports that Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump barged into the dressing room of Miss Universe and Miss Teen USA contestants and leered at them while they were half-dressed is yet another example of his sense of entitlement and lack of respect for women.
Who does that?
A millionaire businessman who is so secure in his celebrity and power that he knows no one would dare reveal his perverted behavior. Until now.
Thankfully, he has sold both pageants so the contestants don’t have to worry about him any more.
The larger question is why are these pageants still being held in the 21st Century? They’re demeaning to girls and young women, and a holdover from the days of a patriarchal society.
Young women say they enter pageants to get scholarships and launch their careers. However, they don’t get all of the cash and prizes promised to them, and often end up spending more for clothes and other expenses than they make. In 2016, there are other avenues to achieve both goals that don’t require women to parade on stage wearing stillettos, skimpy swimsuits and fake smiles.
Growing up, I was a fan of beauty pageants, especially Miss America. We sat around the TV and rooted for our homegirl, Miss Tennessee. Later, I learned that many of these young women suffered from anorexia and bulimia – serious health issues. There’s nothing pretty about them.
Supporters claim that pageants improve a young woman’s self-confidence and public speaking skills, and teach her how to compete in society. While that may be true, pageants also force a woman to strive for an impossible standard of beauty that haunts her beyond the days of competing.
It’s time to put beauty pageants on a shelf. They do nothing but objectify women and give misogynistic men, like Trump, an opportunity to live out their fantasies.
“Beauty fades. Dumb is forever.” – Judge Judy