SO A BAJAN WINS Miss Universe Barbados and it’s an issue because she is white? Seriously?
Two white Bajans represented Barbados at the recently held Rio Olympics – Michael Maskell in shooting and Jason Wilson in the triathlon – and we celebrated with them. Professional surfing phenomenon Chelsea Tuach represents Barbados globally and we celebrate with her. Countless white Bajans represent us at various international and regional athletic games and we celebrate with them.
White Bajans are top achievers at common entrance, CSEC and CAPE and we also celebrate their achievements.
However, a white Bajan outshines all others in the Miss Universe Barbados competition and wins and it’s an issue? She met the requirements to enter the competition, she gave her best and performed well and was judged in a fair manner, so what’s the problem? It’s okay for Whites to enter the competition but it isn’t okay for them to win? Come on people, we can do better than this.
On Tuesday afternoon Stephanie Chase, a former Miss World Barbados, shared her thoughts on this situation via her page The Chase Files, but went a little further than the “race” comments and also shared her personal experience in the competition – some food for thought. She wrote:
“I am extremely happy for the young lady Shannon Harris. My friends on the international pageant blogs are already hailing her as a ‘goddess’ and one of the most beautiful girls selected to compete in Miss Universe 2017. She is on a media wave and it should be ridden to fly the flag of this country proudly.
“As someone who has been involved in pageantry from 1996, I can say that for the most part, contestants judged in local pageants which send delegates overseas to represent this country abroad are judged fairly. However, financial support from Government and corporate Barbados is often found lacking. Purchasing an international franchise is expensive. Preparing the delegate to compete abroad is financially and psychologically draining.
“I can state from experience that depending on who wins a title, support is automatic while in other cases franchise holders have to beg like dogs for assistance. It is not about race but the elitist society that we live in where even if someone has the aptitude and competence to excel, if they originate from the lower echelons of society, they may be viewed as unworthy.
“I’m sure many of us can rattle off a list of people who fall into such categories. Even though we love the rags to riches stories, how many can testify to it?
“When I won Miss Barbados World 2001 I was told that I was too black, too ugly, too short and too poor. After all, what was a li’l black girl from Parish Land doing entering such a pageant? Had it not been for my employers RBC, great family and friends, I’d have left these shores and headed off to South Africa in dire straits. I won the inaugural Miss World Best Talent and the entire nation rejoiced. Had I returned with nothing, my critics would have felt vindicated.
“I hope with this national debate raging, we don’t become blinded by the race talk but acknowledge that many black prominent people in positions are the ones who are the forerunners to discriminate against their own. They reach the top and kick the ladder down. Other races, on the other hand, empower their communities and provide assistance to those in need.
“Before we attack the Caucasians, Asians, Indians or Syrians who by birth or descent have contributed to the development of this country, we must first look within our own race to introspect. Why do we continue to fall short? Why do we continue to fail our own? When will we start to do better? Regardless of race, religion or social class, we must do all in our power to support people who selflessly represent this country.”
Ms Shannon Harris, I want to congratulate you on your achievement in winning the competition and I wish you great success as you represent Barbados at Miss Universe 2017 in the Philippines.
• Corey Worrell, a former Commonwealth Youth Ambassador, is director of C2J Foundation Inc., a project-based NGO focusing on social development. Email: coreyworrell@gmail.com
