Racial Segregation in Beauty PageantsThe United States of America is supposed to embrace resilience and advocate equality. Apparently, the United States of America supports progress in racial discrimination and understands, accepts and respects all races. But in reality, we are not united with all races; so we are simply America, not the United States of America. President Barack Obama states: "...there is not a black America and a white America or a Latin America and an Asian America - there is the United States of America" ​​(Obama). In order to evolve into the United States of America, as opposed to a disembodied country, we must act like the unrestricted, free-willed, positive country we say we are. The history of beauty pageants, such as Miss America, bears witness to this. ignorance of other races in our county. Racial segregation in the Miss America pageant was visible as early as 1945, when Bess Myerson was crowned. As a Russian Jew, Myerson's ethnicity led to backlash the year she won the pageant. Many insisted that Myerson transpose his name to one that did not sound Jewish in any way. Myerson flatly refused to do so, leading to more negative comments regarding his victory. It was not until 1984 that America had the opportunity to resent its own ceremonial winners again. Vanessa Williams was crowned the first African-American Miss America. It is not surprising that American opinion has still not progressed four decades later and that Williams has experienced controversy surrounding death threats and hate mail. Today, in the 21st century, Indian-origin Nina Davuluri, also known as Miss America 2014, is treated no differently. To win the Miss America pageant crown, a basic rule states that...... middle of paper ...... believe in equality, but American citizens can still see with shame that we are not still a modern country with modern beliefs. Miss America is a female body meant to represent the finest American values ​​to project onto the hopes and dreams of the nation. Throughout the history of the pageant, the female body has been generally slim, attractive, and almost always white. We should feel humiliated and regret that our ideal Miss America is still a blonde girl with blue eyes. We should feel embarrassed that we can't accept a beautiful, intelligent woman, with inspiring goals, who breaks barriers to teach us cultural competence. It's a blessing for America to have such a kind girl to represent America, even if we don't deserve her. If we can't accept Nina as our next Miss America, then Nina deserves this platform to raise awareness about racial stereotypes..