Vazquez 1 Alysha Vazquez Mr.

Newman English 101: Rhetoric 08 November 2013 Queens of Beauty and Brains The events that unfolded during 1968 in Atlantic City, New Jersey adopted the early views of Miss America Pageants. The staged demonstrations and protests attracted much publicity and brought many opinions. They argued that pageants degrade women and solely focus on outrageous beauty standards. To the protesters pageants symbolized racism, the oppression of women and the commercialization of women. The Atlantic City boardwalk was bursting with women parading signs saying Womens Liberation. On the boardwalk there were scenes of feminist objects such as high heeled shoes, curlers, tweezers and bras being tossed into a trashcan named Freedom Trashcan. Since the protesting in 1968, many of societys ideals have progressed. The Miss America Pageant Organization has redirected its gears towards an inspiring, positive and proactive mission. While empowering women across America, the intelligent contestants encourage community involvement. The Miss America Pageant has evolved from a beachside display to a national talent competition that offers a great opportunity for an ethnically diverse group of women to win money and scholarships. Although society has many different views and opinions about the Miss America pageant, as well as other pageants, it still is maintained that the present day Miss America pageant has evolved from that of the 1968 Atlantic City boardwalk protest.

Vazquez 2 Although the pageant initially presented women with a pretty face and nice bodies, the Miss America pageant has evolved to recognize and support brains rather than just beauty. The Miss America Organization as well as other pageant organizations reward money to pay school loans and grant scholarships to winners and runner ups. They emphasize scholarships and talent. I believe that education is key for being successful in todays society, it is also very expensive. Hilary Friedman is a beauty pageant judge, as well as, the daughter of Miss America 1970. Friedman encourages that education is so important for employment and social mobility, but costs are so high that competing for money in the Miss America pageant is an even better option than it was in the 60s. Friedman focusses on the fact that all bright young women should consider competing in the Miss America pageant. Angela Grey explains how the Miss America experience aided her education through her first-hand account of being the first Asian Miss America in 2001. Grey supports the benefits of the pageant when she states that every year the organization gives away more than $40 million. With the scholarship earnings she received from the Miss America pageant Grey was able to pay off her teaching credential, bachelors degree in elementary education, and her masters degree in educational administration. The Miss America Pageant has helped to promote and pay off the education of young and intelligent women. Not only has the pageant celebrated accomplishments and supported the intelligence of young women, it also demonstrates that beauty equals racial diversity. One notable form of evolution in pageants is race. Blain Roberts, a professor of history at California State University, explains that the era was a time where, Southern Miss America contestants symbolically stood for, and sometimes promoted, segregation. Drastic change has been seen on the stage of Miss America from the time there was segregation present among contestants. Women of many different race have been performing on the competition floor.

Vazquez 3 Angela Grey, the first Asian Miss America, explains that as one of 10 children of immigrant parents from the Philippines, this was extremely empowering. Miss Americas diversity and equal opportunity for every woman has uplifted and inspired others. The pageant emphasizes the beauty of a culturally diverse amount of women. Anyone who has tuned into an annual Miss America pageant sees that their T.V. screen is filled with various talented women of different color. Elwood Watson, an African American history studies professor, supports that Miss America is beneficial for women of color. As of today eight African American women have been crowned Miss America and many more have competed in the pageant. Watson mentions that for a pageant that once prohibited women of color as contestants, such a dramatic transformation is indeed progress. What was a rarity in past pageants has become a reality for Miss America pageants today. Although the Miss America pageant has evolved, there is still conflict present. The most controversial issue of pageants is the category described as lifestyle and fitness. For many the swimsuit competition is notorious and they do not support it. Friedman, a pageant judge, expresses that she would never feel comfortable standing in front of millions of viewers in a swimsuit. On the other hand, the contestants of Miss America are comfortable in their own skin. If they werent they wouldnt confidentially step out on the Miss America stage. They choose to live healthy and maintain a fit body at a healthy weight. As a result they are promoting physical fitness. Roberts argues that beauty contests exploit women and sexualize their bodies. Many disregard all the positives and benefits the Miss America pageant has to offer and divert their opinions on the swimsuit aspect of the competition. In reality, these contestants are everyday young women who enjoy working hard to stay physically fit, because they feel happy and the most comfortable when they are healthy. Personally, I am very active

Vazquez 4 and I enjoy sports. It makes me feel the best when I am able to stay healthy and in shape. Like other men and women, they regularly like to hit the gym or take a nice jog. There is no wrong in wanting to look fit and feel happy with the way you look. From the beachside displays to the nationally aired competitive floor Miss America has grown to represent a diverse group of talented and intelligent women all competing for the chance to make a difference. Every year Atlantic City, New Jersey is proud to follow tradition and continues to host the Miss America pageant. The evolution of the Miss America Pageant reveals the benefits the pageant has to offer and showcases the intelligence, diversity and talent of Miss America contenders. Today, contestants demonstrate their intellect on social and political issues and express the change they would like to see in the world. The attention of ludicrous beauty standards is no longer the case. The Miss America Organization aims to support women of intelligence and respectable character.

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Works Cited Friedman, Hilary Levey. "Big Money to Be Made." Room for Debate. New York Times, 13 Sept. 2013. Web. 12 Nov. 2013. Grey, Angela Baraquio. "Honored to Represent America." Room for Debate. New York Times, 12 Sept. 2013. Web. 12 Nov. 2013. Roberts, Blain. Still Sending the Wrong Message. Room for Deabte. New York Times, 12 Sept. 2013. Web. 12 Nov. 2013. Watson, Elwood. "Beneficial for Women of Color." Room for Debate. New York Times, 12 Sept. 2013. Web. 12 Nov. 2013.

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