News and Views

October 24, 2005
Ethnic Beauty Pageants Show America's Diversity

Ethnic beauty pagents are billed as "a validation of beauty and culture that's not seen in the American mainstream," said Shilpa Davi, an assistant professor of American studies at Brandeis University.

"At immigrant pageants, beauty has a browner, more worldly tinge. Noses are wider and eyes are chocolate brown, framed in various almond-like contours. Hips sway more in talent segments, such as an adaptation of a Bollywood performance at Miss India or a belly dance at Miss Liberia."

What's wrong with this picture?

Why are ethnic pagents flourishing when Miss America and other beauty pagents are waning?

Doesn't this type of pagent do more to reinforce ethnic exoticism?

Are the risks of marginalization greater than the benefits of widespread exposure to ethnic, racial and cultural traditions?

Finally, when will women-all women-outgrow the need to have their looks validated by outsiders? My hope for my daughter is that she can look in the mirror and see the beauty she is from the inside as well as the outside.

What do you think?

Aren't we trying to make ethnic and racial minorities less exotic and have people accept and respect all people for who they are?

Read more at: Daily Register; Northern Calif, US