America is Missing the boat on-Miss America

I just saw the news story on the newly exposed racy photos of the new Miss America and got to say that it is alternately plain silly that the news media would care about something like this and sad that the country that used to claim to be all about free speech and openness now is actually all about conforming to a certain moral standard that no one can ever conform to.

First of all it irks me that every time this new Miss America is mentioned it automatically is stated “The first Arabic Immigrant Miss America.” In a day and age when America is supposed to be becoming color or culture blind the media constantly reminds us of every little difference that somebody has. It’s really unnecessary. Especially in a contest like this. Really, the girl isn’t running for President. She’s not going to be making major decisions. Unless it’s about what mascara to wear. It’s a beauty contest. Who cares what her cultural background is. Besides, just about everyone is in some way an immigrant unless they are Native American. It’s not easy to find real Native American’s anymore. Try it. You’ll see what I mean.

Anyway, that’s my little gripe about that.

Well actually, I guess I shouldn’t complain because the media should be just saying, “We now have the first Pole Dancing Miss America.” Let’s celebrate cultural diversity. This is probably just a part of her personal culture. http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-35831-Celebrity-Headlines-Examiner~y2010m5d17-Miss-USA-2010-winner-Rima-Fakih-in-danger-of-losing-crown-after-stripper-video
She’ll start a new thing in the Arab world, create a new stereotype. You gotta admit, it would be a bit better than the old one of Arab people automatically being bomb throwing maniacs. Now it could be that all Arab people really love pole dancing or at least watching pole dancers. Replace an old stereotype with a new one.  

Anyway, give the girl a break. She tried to win a contest that required good looks and a bit of athletic prowess. Sounds just a little bit like The Miss America Pageant. Except they don’t have pole dancing.

Maybe for the sake of cultural diversity, maybe next year.

B.L.Morgan