Did you watch the crowning of Miss America the other night? Forgive me if I missed the proceedings; I was too busy filing the dead skin off my feet to watch. But I hear there were lots of giggle-worthy moments, from wacky, misspelled pop-ups about "Jane Austin" and cheetah attacks to ventriloquism involving a doll one writer likened to the late Joan Rivers.
No fewer than 53 female contestants vied for the chance to don a princess tiara. They wore fancy evening dresses and answered big important questions in a tradition that somehow still exists in the year 2014.
Why do pageants still exist? Because young, attractive women still aspire to be crowned like princesses and are prepared to work their asses off for the privilege.
Miss America does her bit for charity, and I admire the philanthropy aspect of the pageant. What I take issue with is the part where she parades in different outfits and is judged on her appearance. But maybe I'm just not girly enough to find that entertaining.
And what about Mr. America—where does he figure? If we aren't about to scrap pageants, then we should at least level the playing field, no?
You tell me: Are beauty pageants empowering, or is it high time Miss America was given the ax?
The former Miss America may have made history, but all she got was backlash.
Printer-friendly version