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Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!mcnc!duke!bek
From: bek@duke.UUCP (Barrett E. Koster)
Newsgroups: net.women
Subject: Miss America
Message-ID: <4543@duke.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 24-Jul-84 13:46:07 EDT
Article-I.D.: duke.4543
Posted: Tue Jul 24 13:46:07 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 27-Jul-84 02:11:24 EDT
Organization: Duke University
Lines: 29

RE: Article-I.D.: fortune.3842

I think the Miss America pageant administration is sexist and indulges
in delusions of morality and altruism.  
Yes, I was upset that Vanessa Williams was (is being?)
dethrowned for nude modling.  But then, I don't really think it is out
of character for the committee.  They make a profession out of judging
people's (excuse me, women's) purity.  Why shouldn't they continue?
Of course, it is a little hypocritical that they would call someone
immoral for modling when the influx and outflux of candidates is largely
from that legitimate and respectible profession.  It's a little like
a guy looking for someone to sleep with, and then calling her a whore if
she isn't a virgin. 

On a larger scale, I see the whole pageant as superficial (and I appoligize
to the candidates who bring real value only to be patted on the head for it
while the real business -- the meat parade -- goes on.)  I mean, when a woman
can get kicked out for wearing falsies, it's obvious what the committee is
looking for.  Why don't they just admit what they are after and have the 
women walk around nude.   So I think the whole idea of judging people
pretty much for what God gave them, and also condemning them for actions
of the past (where's forgiveness?) is contrary to the Christian and American
spirits that the committee pretends to have.  

Anyway, I am sure that Vanessa is more than good enough to be Miss America,
and I am sorry that the only recognition she has gotten for her excellence
is from the Miss America Pageant.

Barry Koster           ..!decvax!duke!bek