I think we are being too judgmental about beauty pageants and African culture.  There are several examples in the myriad of cultures of Africa where there are competitions to show beauty of both men and women.  Think of the puberty rites of all the different cultures in Africa.  It’s all about showing off beauty in one form or the other – physical, intellectual, etc.

The Fulani tribesmen of dress up and put on make-up to attract women.  As part of their puberty rites the young women of the Krobo people in Eastern Ghana dress up in the most attractive and provocative ways in competition to attract the opposite sex.  In Achebe’s “Thing’s Fall Apart” there are wrestling competitions.

There is Mr. Universe competitions for men too.  How about all the fashion shows we do all the time?  The West has simply put a money making function on displaying women.  I do not agree with every aspect of it.

We can do what ever we like within our own culture, whether it is a pageant to raise funds for a good cause or what not, so long as we do it tactfully and with class.

Those are my two cents.

Thanks.

>
> From: ALEX LAGIA REDD <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: 2003/04/29 Tue PM 11:31:40 CDT
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: NO LIBERIAN BEAUTY PAGEANT!
>
> NO LIBERIAN BEAUTY PAGEANT!
>

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, visit:

        http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/aam.html

AAM Website:  http://www.danenet.wicip.org/aam
----------------------------------------------------------------------------