Colonialism in Pageantry

The historical legacy of colonialism has left deep imprints on societal structures and perceptions, shaping beauty standards and notions of superiority. The impact of colonialism is evident in various aspects of contemporary life, including pageantry. Colonialism has perpetuated Eurocentric beauty standards, emphasizing specific physical attributes as the epitome of beauty. This has influenced the criteria for judging beauty pageants, often favoring contestants who align with these standards. The legacy of colonialism has also affected the representation and diversity within pageantry. The dominance of Eurocentric beauty standards has marginalized individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, impacting their participation and recognition in pageants.

Afia Ofori-Mensa's work, "Beauty, Bodies, and Boundaries Pageants, Race and U.S. National Identity," in conjunction with Blain Roberts' "Pageants, Parlors, and Pretty Women," delves into the intricate relationship between society, politics, and the establishment of the "ideal female" or idealized femininity in the United States [6, 9] . The authors assert that U.S. standards of femininity are intertwined with histories of colonialism and global capitalism, and the representation of the nation's bodies evolves with changing foreign and domestic policies. The authors emphasize the impact of politics on societal ideals, particularly during times of war and recovery, where pageantry was employed as a form of propaganda to glorify the nation's current state [6]. This propaganda, however, imposed stringent eligibility criteria on women participating in pageants, dictated by men who sought to project an image of a "Childlike, innocent, virginal, and respectable" Miss America, symbolizing a vulnerable postwar U.S. [6]. The pressure on women in pageants to conform to changing body types reflects society's unrealistic expectations. Those unable to meet these standards endure the burden of not feeling "enough" [6, 9].

The study on "Second-Generation Asian American Women's Gendered Racial Socialization" delves into the influences shaping the experiences of these women from their families, peers, and media [1]. Familial guidance ranged from passive acceptance of discrimination to coping mechanisms, with parents often reinforcing White beauty standards and traditional gender roles. Academic excellence was emphasized, reflecting nuanced parental expectations tied to the participants' identity as Asian American women [1]. Peer interactions added another layer, featuring objectification, assumptions of passivity, and identity invalidation. Some peers provided affirming messages, fostering positive identity exploration. The study highlighted the media's impact, noting a lack of representation and pervasive stereotypes about Asian American women [1]. However, some participants found empowering media that positively shaped their self-perception [1]. These gendered racial socialization messages significantly influenced various aspects of participants' lives, affecting body image, self-esteem, career choices, mental health, and critical consciousness. The findings stress the urgency of interventions to address discrimination against Asian American women, recognizing the diverse sources shaping their experiences and identities [1].

Afia Ofori-Mensa and Blain Roberts, along with insights from a study on "Second-Generation Asian American Women's Gendered Racial Socialization," collectively illustrate the interconnected challenges faced by women in pageantry [6, 9]. Pageants, historically utilized as propaganda reflecting societal ideals of femininity, perpetuate narrow standards that align with colonial legacies and Eurocentric beauty norms. Ofori-Mensa's depiction of the "ideal female" in postwar U.S. pageants, alongside stringent eligibility criteria, reveals the pressure on participants to conform, imposing societal expectations that influence body image and self-worth [6, 9]. These standards echo broader societal stereotypes highlighted in the study on second-generation Asian American women, where familial, peer, and media messages shape identity, impacting how Asian American participants choose to represent themselves in the public sphere [1]. The lack of diverse representation of Asian American identities and persistent stereotypes in media further compounds the challenges, emphasizing the urgency of dismantling harmful norms within pageantry. Illustrating this dynamic struggle is the film "Yellow Rose," which portrays the journey of a young Asian girl navigating the complex interplay of familial, peer, and media expectations while ardently pursuing her dream as a country artist. Faced with the challenge of reconciling her Asian and American identities, she grapples with the profound question of self-representation in a world that often imposes rigid stereotypes [8]. R’Bonney Nola Gabriel hold a torch for representation, a role model “Rose” was lacking, as she is the first Filipino-American to ever win Miss USA. She advocates for transparency, fairness, and ethical conduct in beauty pageants, advocating for the cause of equitable treatment for all participants [5, 8].