Q: Convince the protesters outside that the Miss Universe pageant is not disrespectful to women. 

Miss India's response: I think pageants, like the Miss Universe pageant, gives us young women a platform to foray into the fields that we want to, and forge ahead, be it entrepreneurship, be it the Armed Forces, be it politics. It gives us a platform to voice our choices and opinions and it makes us strong and independent that we are today

     Lara Dutta, Miss India, went on to win the Miss Universe 2000 title. To date, she has snagged the highest score (9.954) in the Top 5 Interview score, which is in fact the highest score in any competition in the history of Miss Universe. Kudos to Ms. Dutta indeed. 

     However, there's  no denying that less than sensible answers have been given to pageant questions from time to time. Case in point, Miss South Carolina at the Miss Teen USA in 2007. That said, with every passing year I've grown more contemptuous of pageantry, not because of their sexist undertones, but rather the extent to which pageantry has fallen. 

     Let's get one thing clear, I think pageantry should be done away entirely because current pageants programs continue to disenfranchise women of truly realizing how far gender rights have evolved. However, if we are going to keep them (for whatever reason), then at least encourage some areas of skill or knowledge, other than fishing women out for a flesh exhibition. And is it too hard to ask for pageants to have a little more integrity? AKA: Have representatives from your country/locality who actually know a thing or two about the place they're representing, other than just look pretty and smiling their pearly whites!

     Yes, I am talking about Ms. Guyana World 2011/2012, Arti Cameron. I'm not one to rain on someone else's parade (poor kid already has a bunch of haters who didn't win the title and the likes), but I can't help but agonize over the press this contestant has received (and all for the wrong reasons). To date, not too much is known about Ms. Cameron besides the few snippets here and there. Even the Miss World web page has her biography as: "She studied biology and chemistry at university and enjoys music, dancing and travel. She has a talent for public speaking and would one day like to own a medical center to help people in poverty stricken areas." But oops, I think they forgot, "And she believes in world peace." 

     Nevertheless, her personal Facebook page makes a note of detailing Ms. Cameron's academic history and experiences. According to her "resume" Ms. Cameron considers herself a "world citizen" because she has lived in three countries: Guyana, Jamaica and the United States. She completed her primary and secondary education in Guyana, where she was crowned the Junior Queen for the Miss. St. Joseph's High School pageant (still can't believed this is encouraged in Guyanese schools). The webpage goes on to say that during her reign as Junior Queen, Ms. Cameron paid a courtesy call to former President Jagdeo, in order to highlight her platform: Poverty Housing in Guyana. She further promoted this platform by making a guest appearance on a telethon hosted by Habitat for Humanity Guyana to raise funds for and awareness of the cause. Thereafter, Ms. Cameron left for the States where she did her Associates Degree in Science at LaGuardia Community College. She then attended Hunter College, where she completed her Bachelor's Degree in Biology, with a minor in Chemistry. Since then, Ms. Cameron has been studying for the MCATs, while reigning as Ms. Guyana World (for which every Guyanese newspaper covered extensively because she so graciously traveled back to Guyana to compete in the Miss Guyana World competition).

      Ms. Cameron seems to have lived most of her adult life outside of Guyana, yet she has been chosen as the best candidate to represent the country at the Miss World pageant. Not to say that you can't live abroad and not be Guyanese. However, living in Guyana does contribute to your experiences as a citizen, especially if you are to represent the country at an international event. Indeed, she's only 23 and does not have much under her belt apart from her academic achievements and so forth. However, contestants her age and younger have managed to bag much more under their names in terms of volunteering, internships, advocacy, etc. Thus far, Ms. Cameron has studied, graduated, competed in a pageant and snagged good photos of herself. But the tale doesn't end there... Ms. Cameron is yet again making headlines, only this time she needs YOUR help!

     Not too long ago, GT Vibes posted an article calling for donations to be made towards Ms. Cameron's participation at the pageant, which will be held in China. Of all the things to devote web space to, GT Vibes chose to highlight the "plight" of Miss. Cameron since she was crowned. Yes, you read that right... they didn't write about the ongoing debates and pressure by the UN for Guyana to abolish the death penalty or corporal punishment or the recognition and legalization of LGBT rights. No, they devoted time and energy to inform the public of how the Miss Guyana World Franchise has not contributed anything to Ms. Cameron.

     Apparently, Ms. Cameron doesn't have enough designer shoes, clothes, etc in order to compete. So therefore, "Guyana is set to be embarrassed." In fact, it is unthinkable to "present to the world that Guyana is so poor that it cannot fulfill its obligations." And so the article continues to plead Ms. Cameron's case and ask for donations for her ticket, etc.

     I'm not saying that Ms. Cameron is not deserving of a crown, but just not the Miss Guyana World crown. Sorry to say, but you are not the best representative for Guyana (and yes Judges, you were wrong!). Apart from your academia, "world citizenry" and the abundance of "diversity" you've boasted of on your webpage, what do you have that makes you an inspiration to women? You speak of wanting to "help people in poverty stricken areas," but where is your advocacy? Is merely making a guest appearance on a telethon hosted by Habitat for Humanity considered advocacy? Is shaking hands with the President? Is smiling in photos and looking gorgeous alongside a poor & sick child considered advocacy? 

     Why are contestants not living and advocating Miss India's premise? At least she had some brain cells working when she answered probably one of the most charged questions in pageant history. Better yet, why are pageant organizers/coordinators or whatever they're called not encouraging the contestants to have at least their first degree, some volunteer/advocacy experiences under their belt before they even consider competing? If pageants and contestants continue to profess and really try to sell: "Pageantry is a platform for the women to voice their opinions and be independent and strong," then they need to step their game up and amp the skill & knowledge requirement for hopeful participants. They also need to adhere to the tenets of what they try to sell us, while showcasing the gowns and poise. To date, it's about the contestant who's most pleasing to the eye, not so much about the words coming out of her mouth. I guess it really still is a flesh exhibit. That said, good luck Ms. Cameron. I'm sure you'll strut your stuff just the way the flesh-feasters want it.

Crown Photo taken from here. 

Other thoughts by Krysta can be found here.