Is there racism in Miss Universe pageant? In the 63-year history of Miss Universe, only four black-skinned girls have managed to win the pageant....These pageants are often laced with controversy, politics, stereotypes, and even mischief.

Wednesday, January 28, 2015    

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.

The top five contestants of the recent Miss Universe
pageant on stage in Miami on Sunday. (PHOTO: AP)

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. more