Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Why the South will never rise again

"Maggie" posted a funny, yet pitiful video of Miss South Carolina's answer **from the TEEN USA pageant--which explains a few things**to what would seem to be a simple question. Have a look at it here:


My first reaction:


*EDIT--If I were in the poor girl's position, which I wouldn't be because I have no desire (nor the beauty or height) to be in those things (ask me what I think about beauty pageants--go ahead :D), I might have flubbed up just as badly. So, my apologies to Miss South Carolina for calling her less than intelligent. But--South Africa? Iraq? What???!! Sorry...


10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry, but do you really think we should be 'bad mouthing' people on our blogs?! She made a mistake and just plain flubbed up but I don't think we should continue to call her 'dumb', we really don't know if she is super-intelligent! Put yourself in her shoes and think of how you might have reacted in the same situation. Was this the Christian thing to do???

Mysti said...

That's a really good point. Here's a counter point: she flubbed up, yes, but these beauty pageants, shows like "Top Model" etc...I have no respect for them because they really do NOT encourage young girls to be intelligent. Experiences like this just bring that aspect to the light. This poor young lady, though probably guided by nerves more than dumbness, has probably also let her beauty guide her through life, not her brains. In our society, unfortunately, beauty and brains don't often mix (famous women like Sharon Stone, Cindy Crawford are the exception) because "pretty" young girls are taught by society that they can get by more on their looks, and they do.

And you know...there are a lot of dumb people in the world. Whether or not SHE is dumb doesn't change that. I do however, apologize if I offended you or anyone else. Thanks for bringing up a good point and for chiding me so well :)

Anonymous said...

I can't imagine the nerves those girls have when asked those questions; however, they are putting themselves in positions to be "role models" for our little girls and I'm sorry but I hold them to a little higher standard. There was another pagent a few years ago that my girls wanted to watch and one of the questions asked was "Explain what integrity means". The answer given by the one who happened to win the pagent was COMPLETELY wrong. I was beside myself. Another time, on a Miss USA or Miss America pagent the question was "If you could live forever would you, why or why not?" The reply was something along the lines of "I would not live forever because we can't live forever so I would not live forever and if we could live forever I would not live forever so that is why I would not live forever." Whew...sorry, I got on a roll.

Mysti said...

Love your comment, Kim! Though they don't know the questions they'll be asked, they should be prepared to give halfway intelligent answers if they want to be viewed as intelligent. They ARE role-models to our young ladies. People like Lindsey Lohan and Brittany Spears are too--God help them, please!

Anonymous said...

Good point anonymous. Good point Kim. Good point Misty.

I don't know...to be in those contests is supposed to promote leadership.

I have to admit, the question was a little odd.

I didn't know that 20% of Americans could not locate the US on a map. Why? I don't know. Don't have a clue. I guess she could have said, "Because they are probably illegal immigrants, and have not gone to school because they don't have VISAS."

But, she probably would have gotten an even worse wrap than that.

Anonymous said...

It was a good point. Now do I think Miss South Carolina is dumb? That is not for me to judge or maybe she is just not intelligent, I am just not sure. Do I think I know everything or pretend to? No. But when you are in a position as she is (ROLE MODEL TO YOUNG GIRLS!!!) you need to understand things like the question she was asked. Now I am not saying go home and get out your map and research places incase this question is asked to you. All I am saying is that it was a simple question. And to be honest the answer that she gave the second go around on the morning show was even worse in my opionion.

I think that parents, especiallly parents of beauty pageant contestants that focus on the material things, the socioeconomic status of the family, and beauty first and put such an emphasis on situations like that......well.....those are the children that get left in the dark when it comes to their educaiton level because other things have become a priority in their life.

I have watched these pageants on t.v. and I get so bored with looking at materialistic
individuals that I stop watching. I just want to wipe of their makeup and say "are you in there"? Thanks for putting a light on the situation Misty! We need better role models for children because Brittney Spears just isn't doing it for me.

Mysti said...

This is like the most action I've had in a long time on here--I should post controversial, possibly offensive stuff on here more often! I guess I just need some excitement :)

Thanks for all the comments--keep em coming.

Anonymous said...

I've heard that pastors sometimes do that just to see if people are listening!

Anonymous said...

Boy, you did get something stirred up. Sometimes, I just wish someone would have a stronge enough opinion of something - anything - to stir us up. Also, It's okay to be frank. Her answer did give credence to the "dumb blonde" stigma. I agree with you wholeheartedly about beauty pageants, even if they are touted as scholarship pageants. We all know what the real draw here is. (What does walking across the stage in a scant swim suit have to do with "scholarship"????)

Still, I really do feel sorry for her. She set will probably have this over her head the rest of her life.

CJ

Mysti said...

No doubt, I do feel sorry for her. It's a shame that girls are encouraged to use their bodies to get a scholarship and not their minds.