Ladies and gentlemen, it is 2016 and the Miss Universe Organization has finally pulled the swimsuit competition from the Miss Teen USA competition. This is a victory for women everywhere, and I honestly never expected something like this to happen.
I consider myself a feminist. There, I said it. No, I do not burn my bra and I am not a man hater. I actually am very happily in a relationship with one of the best men I know. He respects me and treats me like a lady. He values my opinions and my ideas. He will admit when I am right and point out my shortcomings without thinking it will hurt my feelings because I am a girl. Guess what, He is a feminist too. We believe in many of the same things, including the fact that women's bodies are marginalized in our society.
I know when I go to the pool or the beach, it is hard not to compare myself to other girls. A time that is supposed to be relaxing and fun turns into a time where I am constantly self-conscious. I can only imagine how the women in pageants feel when their bodies are being broadcast and judged by millions of people. I know that they sign up for this sort of thing, and that the swimsuit competition is just a portion of the pageant. I am aware that the ladies are praised for their ability to answer intellectual questions and show off their talents. However, the swimsuit portion was originally added to show their physical fitness and athleticism. I don't think being able to look good in a bathing suit necessarily means that you are active and fit. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't, but it shouldn't matter.
Being fit doesn't mean being a twig or having a thigh gap. Being fit means that you can run, ride bikes, lift a few weights. Sorry boys, but we don't do any of those things in a bikini. I don't know about you, but when I was in high school I was a little more chubby than I am now, and sometimes that happens. It doesn't mean I wasn't physically fit. Thank you, Miss Universe Organization for realizing that fitness isn't measured by what you look like in a bikini. Although they're replacing it with an "athleisure" category, they're taking measures to make the view of women in society one of positivity and strength. I think we can take a lesson from them. It's time we change our view as a whole and teach our daughters and sons what's actually important and how to treat women.
Women are still unequal in terms of unpaid hours of housework, and we still earn 78 cents to the man's dollar nationwide. That number has been relatively stagnant in recent history. Of course, there will always be things to work on, but the fact that a beauty pageant is changing things that don't reflect the view that women should be fierce, feminine and free.
We have something to learn and some work to do.
