July 26th 2023.
Rule No. 7 of the 1948 pageant contract for Miss America is one of the most infamous and controversial moments in the pageant's long history. It stated that "Contestant must be in good health and of the white race". This rule has long been a source of criticism and pain to many Black pageant winners.
Recently, A&E's Secrets of Miss America explored this issue and the impact it still has on the industry. Nita Whitaker, Miss Louisiana 1984, shared how she was discriminated against and lost solely due to her race. She remembered the effect Vanessa Williams' dethroning had on her and other women of color. It showed that no matter how beautiful or intelligent they were, their Blackness would never be enough to grant them the crown.
The 1990s ushered in a renaissance of Black beauty queens, however the effects of racially-motivated double standards still remain. Miss America 2010, Caressa Cameron Jackson, shared her experience, where she was told to compete in more ethnically-welcoming states to secure a win. She confessed that she unconsciously made herself into what she perceived beauty to be due to what she had seen win.
To rectify these issues, the organization has made new rules such as adding a person of color to every judging panel and formally apologizing to Vanessa Williams.
The docuseries Secrets of Miss America sheds light on the famed pageant circuit's racist past and other controversies. New episodes of the show air every Monday at 10/9c on A&E. This insightful series is a must-watch for anyone who wants to get an in-depth look at the pageant industry.
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