Dear Editor,
Admittedly, there were some gorgeous women competing in the recent Miss Universe pageant, including our very own Kaci Fennell — who did amazingly well! I agree with many that she should’ve won, or at least placed much higher than fifth.
These pageants are often laced with controversy, politics, stereotypes, and even mischief. I had concerns immediately upon noticing the lack of ethnic diversity on the judging panel. It was not surprising that there was not one black-skinned girl in the top 15 this year. And, if memory is correct, the same thing happened last year.
In the 63-year history of Miss Universe, only four black-skinned girls have managed to win the pageant. This year there were stunning afro beauties from Ghana, Guyana, Angola, Aruba, Turks and Caicos, Curacao, South Africa, yet none made it to advanced rounds of competition. And don’t tell me these girls weren’t smart or personable enough as national winners. Guyana, for instance, who is absolutely stunning, is nearing the end of her medical studies.
Black girls have to work twice as hard to get noticed, and they are rarely listed as favourites. Usually they have to settle with some arbitrary consolation prize, such as ‘most congenial’. Girls who don’t fit into the standard ‘look’ will have a difficult time. Not surprisingly, most winners are Latinos and Caucasian, and, of course, USA is almost always a finalist no matter what, the pageant being USA owned.
We know there are far more important things in the world, but one cannot deny these pageants are entertaining with strong commercial value as they are followed by millions globally and covered by all major news outlets. Multi-racial countries like Jamaica should never compromise principles to please Miss Universe. Countries sending black delegates need to stay the course, raise the bar and continue to hold their heads high, otherwise they should boycott this particular pageant.
At least Miss World, with its European base, seemingly has a more level field and a greater sense of purpose with its global charity work, which is why it attracts so many participants every year. Any country can win Miss World. Country franchise holders within the Miss Universe organisation need to be more vocal, they should speak up or pull out.
Jamaicans need not be bitter about Kaci’s Miss Universe loss. It may very well end up being her gain. I believe racial stereotypes and prejudices must be dealt with head-on a very principled, dignified and forceful response.
P Chin
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Met confusion up a top please fix!!
wat?? confused
of course the Pageant is racist. the racism may not have been as overt in this contest but it’s certainly there. Not one dark skin beauty made it in the top 5? plzzzz.
As for the story follwing the pic, these preists just won’t stop because all dem get is a slap on the wrist.
hahaha it look like sey Met high you cant smoke di high grade when you a put up news pan di wall.
nuh smoke ..sleep a lot yes …some days more than others :hammer
Met oh, wen mi si di Pope Francis, mi seh wah? a wah him hab fi do wid Ms Universe..Met oh is wah a gwan wid u tiday… :ngakak :ngakak :ngakak
Sleeping my life away :ngakak see it deh now
Da faq
Yes, the pageant is racist. Only four black women have ever won this pageant. They keep giving them consolation prizes and top 15 to keep them entering, you know the tease to mesmerize them into believing they stand a good chance. Historically, black women win about once every 10-15 years.
At sender, to be honest in Miss Universe when they do choose black girls to win likely it is a darker skin girl who wins. I think only one of the black woman who won previously won was light skinned. Despite them not choosing black girls frequently, when they do the darker ones seem to be the ones who win.
My greatest disappointment in this pageant is that all the other continents went to top 15 except Africa. Every continent should be represented in the top 15 in these global pageants. You caan tell mi seh no contestant from Africa was suitable to advance. Anywho, maybe wi fi leave dese tings alone and left dem to dem contests.
Leila Lopes miss universe 2011 former miss angola was not light skin, it happened for the best Kaci will be alright.