Photo By: Jim Hansen, At Miss South Texas Pageant January 17, 2015.
Okay. With the new #YesAllWomen campaign, #HeForShe, and several other movements towards gender equality, it's no shock that the swimsuit competition is becoming more and more controversial. It was okay when women's worth came from her body, but now that women's worth is becoming a broader term that encompasses so much more, people are starting to ask me the "tough questions." Should the swimsuit portion be done-away-with? How can you participate in something so degrading? Doesn't it go against your religious beliefs?
Well here are my answers:
Q: Should the swimsuit portion be done-away-with?
A: Absolutely not. Before you conservatives out there jump my case, hear me out. I get it. I grew up conservative and have gone to plenty of church-sponsored, school-sponsored, and even friend-related events where I have been asked to wear a tshirt over my two-piece swimsuit. One-pieces are great if that is what you are comfortable and confident in. I have friends that only wear one-ieces and that's because they think that style of swimsuit is what fits them best. That is terrific! Personally, however, I have always found it more uncomfortable to wear a one-piece because I felt that it only drew attention to the fact that my body is shameful. I am perfectly confident in the body God gave me and I know that I and a lot of my pageant sisters have worked hard to keep our bodies healthy and happy. Why shouldn't we show off all of that hard work? It would be like training for a marathon only to never run it. Another reason the swimsuit competition is necessary is because it shows your physical determination to be the titleholder. Fitness is something you work on daily. A lack of effort will show. As a titleholder- in my case, Miss Texas- your job will be just as physically demanding as it is mentally and emotionally. You are expected to get up at 4:00 in the morning after getting home at 1:30am and go speak and make appearances with the highest level of enthusiasm and energy possible. The judges already know you can handle topics ranging from personal hobbies to current events, and they already know that you are passionate about your platform; this is your chance to get into their heads the idea that you can handle all aspects of the job.
Q: How can you participate in something so degrading?
A: Because it gives me an opportunity to make a stand. Body-shaming is real, y'all. To all of the liberals who write letters about school and church dress codes, this portion of the competition says exactly what you are trying to say. My body is what I and only I make of it. I happen to love mine. I have worked very hard to get myself to love mine- mentally more than physically. I used to hate it, and I thought I had to hide it so no one would think less of me. I realized that the sexualization of my body was not my problem; it was society's. If I am confident enough in myself to be completely vulnerable in front of a room full of people- no hiding behind rhinestones or expensive fabric- I am confident enough to overcome anything. The girls in the Miss America pageant system are scored higher in interview and talent than in swimsuit, evening gown, and onstage question. Know why? Because women are valued more than their pretty face and expensive spray tan. The sooner girls figure that out, the less money they spend on pageantry (Thank goodness. I would have been broke ages ago!) and the closer they get to winning their dream job.
Q: Doesn't it go against your religious beliefs?
A: Again I say: Absolutely not. The Bible was written when it was still okay to own slaves and sell your virgin daughter to the highest bidder. After Jesus, we suddenly no longer believe in slavery. So... check one for Jesus! What about the whole selling your virgin daughter thing? Oh sorry, marrying... Back then a women's greatest asset was her body. Emphasis on the virgin part. People don't buy dogs who have already had puppies, they want the puppies! (Too far? I think it makes the point.) Modern media still reinforces this ideal of the women's best asset being her body. Men sexualize women. Women sexualize women. The cycle never ends. Did you know that even up through the 1900s men were required to wear shirts to the beach? Then eventually men progressed to no shirts at all- no shame for them. The point is, my wearing a swimsuit on stage is not a slap in the face to my religion. I'm just choosing to believe that Christ didn't pick and choose which wrongdoing of humanity God should forgive. Personally I'd like to believe that when Christ died for a sin of mine, it was not the "sin" where I am confident enough in God's gifts and plan for me that I am okay with being vulnerable. And if a man has a problem with that, that's his sin not mine and I'm not responsible for it.
So that's my take on it and if you don't agree that's perfectly fine. That's why God gave us thoughts and ideas- to ask questions. I choose to do pageants because I see an opportunity for myself and a platform for me to use to help others. If letting my confidence show is part of the gig, I'm game.
