Added: 12/19/2005 |
Miss Black America hails the beauty of black womenMiss Black America was created on August 17, 1968 by J. Morris Anderson. Since the moment of its creation up to now there have always been question of the pageant's necessity since the time when Miss America beauty contest appeared. The administration of Miss Black America has always answered that this is an opportunity for black men to say that their wives are spiritually, mentally and physically beautiful. The Miss Black America has always given black women an opportunity to show their talents, to share their ideas and to reign as universal symbols of dignity and pride.
It is necessary to say that during about 30 years of the pageant's existence a lot of avenues have been opened to the black women. Moreover the contest helped all black people get rid of a number of negative images which have been beholden by them. One of the Miss Black America winners was asked how she felt being Black and Being Miss America. Her answer was that Black was the least that she was.
It is worthy of note that the Miss Black America was founded in order to free the Black people from the negative images they have imposed on themselves but not against the powers that imposed those negative images.
There are some facts telling that a lot of Black mothers pinched the noses of their children in order to make them narrower, to make them look like the features of the Caucasian people. Sometimes children were even made to walk around with their noses squeezed with clothes pins for the same result. Even now some black children hear telling about how pretty are children with light skin and good hair. These negative stereotypes still make Black think their curly hair and their dark skin are ugly. Unfortunately the stereotypes dominate in America. That is why there is need for the Miss Black America to function.
Speaking about the Miss Black America rules, they are concrete and rather strict. They say that women from 17 to 29 can register and apply to the contest. It may be done from April 1 till December 31, 2005. The application fee is 100$. The registration is performed on line at the official website of the contest MissBlackAmerica.com.
It is necessary that all the participants send a VHS tape with a two-minute performance containing the demonstration of the applicant's talent. 30 seconds of the tape should be devoted to singing, dancing or acting in the form of a monologue; and 30 seconds of the applicant in a swimsuit. The content of the tape is discussed by the judges of the Miss Black America panel. Within 40 days the applicant will be informed about whether she has been accepted to the contest. The tape should clearly demonstrate the skills of the applicant and her enthusiasm to become the winner.
The applicants should also provide the phone number and mailing address of the applicant. The applicants should remember that the time of the taped material must not exceed 3 minutes.
One of the most frequent questions is whether the woman applying to the contest can be married and have children. The answer is that the MBA does not discriminate women according to the marital status and child bearing status.
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