Deseret News | U. sophomore named Miss Latina US

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U. sophomore named Miss Latina US

Mr. White | 7:18 p.m. Oct. 22, 2008

Just curious. Who was Miss Caucasion US this year. I must have missed it.

Racism | 7:24 p.m. Oct. 22, 2008

Why is it ok to have a Miss Latina US?
Could we have a Miss White US and everyone would be fine?

Interesting.

Ignorance | 7:34 p.m. Oct. 22, 2008

I am going to assume you ask your question because you sincerely don't get it, not because you have a grudge or are angry.

Latinos are a small minority of the population here in the U.S. with a unique culture and heritage. Since they are outnumbered 10-1 or more in the nation they face disadvantages every day. All kinds of cultural collectives have ways to celebrate their culture.

In this case Latino women got together to have a scholarship contest (you know, education, other possitives) and it was awarded to a local. CELEBRATE!

Comments continue below

Hmmmm . . . | 7:41 p.m. Oct. 22, 2008

What does it say that Miss Latina US is a) blonde, and b) (apparently) not a Spanish speaker?

RE: Ignorance | 7:54 p.m. Oct. 22, 2008

Sorry Ignorance, I will have to agree with Mr. White.

Congratulations! | 7:55 p.m. Oct. 22, 2008

Congratulations are in order for Ms. Franca. It is certainly a wonderful thing to receive any sort of recognition for your achievements, and this is a great recognition! Congratulations and thank you for representing our state.

However, the other commenters are also justified for questioning the double standard that exists when it comes to issues of race in our country. If our country were truly progressive, race would no longer feature prominently. We have obviously not yet progressed to that point, neither in politics nor in pageantry.

So . . . | 8:16 p.m. Oct. 22, 2008

If there was a Miss LDS contest would you have the same question about why there isn't a contest for "white" people?

"White people" don't have a collective cultural identity, LDS people do, Latinos do.

And somebody asked what it means that she is blond.

It means like most people that live in the US she might have done something to her hair. It might also mean she doesn't look like YOU think Latino women look. A lot of Latinos have red or blond hair, it just doesn't happen to fit your narrow world view.

jason | 8:16 p.m. Oct. 22, 2008

Wow, people in Utah are so racist!! Get over yourself, and let this young lady have her moment and be happy for her. Just because we don't have a young, blonde, mormon, mom pagaent you shouldn't worry about what other people do. Ever heard of the Miss America, Miss USA PAgaents?? Talk about a white miss USA, figure it out people, try to get out of the bubble of Utah, might be good for you.

Interesting... | 8:39 p.m. Oct. 22, 2008

It's interesting and embarrasing that the first few comments bring up the race issue. I have no problem with a minority group or sub group (racial or otherwise) having a beauty contest. What a beautiful girl! I'm glad she won and proud she came from the U of U.

CougarKeith | 8:41 p.m. Oct. 22, 2008

Wow is this a sad state of affairs in America, there used to be, and I am sure still is a Miss Afro-American Contest, now there is also a Miss Latino Contest? The question then was "Why don't we have a Miss White America contest?" The question is "FAIR" and "REASONABLE"! There has been a black woman and a latino woman who have won the Miss USA contest, so how is it an "Unfair" advantage that we must have a Miss Latino and Miss Black American Pageant? I for one have yet to see the "Asians" going Ape for "Asian Pride", these are people who are looking for no special favors, no special recognition and they just excell and do their own thing without all the bigotry you see cried out from the Black and Latino minority. Why is that? I for one say if "Racism" would be the Cry for a Miss White America Pageant, then "Racism" should be the cry for a Miss Latino or Black America Pageant. Soon there will be a Mr. Gay America Pageant. I have found Black & Latino women just as attractive as "White Women", so whats the problem, Let me Judge ONE-Pagent!

CougarKeith Being Curious... | 8:52 p.m. Oct. 22, 2008

We already have a MISS USA Pageant right? Now I see the Liberals all screaming in defense of the Miss Latino Pageant and probably the Miss Black USA Pageant. Of course with the question about a "Miss White USA Pageant" The Liberals are going nuts about how racist those who say such a thing must be. Here is MY POINT. With a Miss Black & a Separate Miss Latino USA Pageant, doesn't this automatically DISQUALIFY ANYONE OF A DIFFERENT RACE? If there is a General "Miss USA Pageant" which is open to all who enter, wouldn't that be considered "NON-Discriminatory" since a "Black", "Latino", "Asian", and Caucasion all have won that pageant! So in reality Which Pageants are "Racist"? I would guess it would be the Miss Black and Miss Latino Pageants since they exempt any other race from an oportunity to win a scholarship or prize of any kind based simply on their "Lack" of race, am I correct?

With that as the basis of a common thread and theory, it is the "White" race being discriminated against plainly on the fact if they held a "Miss Caucasion USA", This would be deemed Racist, How is this Fair???

Easy for you to say . . . | 8:58 p.m. Oct. 22, 2008

This was said, "If our country were truly progressive, race would no longer feature prominently."

True enough but if you are a minority here it is impossible to forget it because it IS an issue every day is subtle ways that you don't know about and don't care to.

This is a possitive for the whole Latino community and for Utah and for the school. It really is shaming to me that race gets brought up here.

Did ANY white people feel oppressed over this?

Miss USA/Miss America has NOT always been open to all races. If you want to hold a Miss White contest knock yourself out. Go line up sponsors, scholarships and improve the lives of young women. Go right ahead.

CougarKeith Being Curious... | 8:59 p.m. Oct. 22, 2008

Continued..... Just so everyone knows, Congratulations to her for her achievement of winning a pageant which is exclusionary of other cultures and races. That is an achievement to be proud of truly, anytime you win a contest.

Perhaps one could make a slur about "Lipstick On A Pig" or "Hair Dye On A ?" See, this probably won't get placed in the comments because of who is making the comment, and what it could be construed to mean? The fact is she is rather beautiful and I am sure intelligent, but since I, A White LDS American am making such a comment and not being a black man running for president, It really isn't acceptable, and if it is posted, The "?" I refer too is a "Beautiful Latino Girl" and nothing slanderous as most would have come to immagine in there finite Racist Minds! Shame on ALL OF US for not being where we should be in our progression for "EQUALITY".

Cougar K. being absurd | 9:11 p.m. Oct. 22, 2008

I am one of the defenders here of the contest. I am FAR from liberal so please stop labeling. Yes, there is a Miss USA Pageant open to all races, thank goodness.

So because of that you want to prohibit other cultural groups from having pageants? Latinos are also part of the USA so they should participate in the Miss USA pageant.

If there was a Miss Square pageant and Rectangles could participate, should Rectangles also be prohibited from having a Miss Rectangle contest?

Since LDS women can compete in the Miss USA pageant, should there be a prohibition against a Miss LDS pageant?

Do you somehow you think this is a government sponsored event? A private group produced a pageant. If you don't like it or feel oppressed, go start one and exclude everybody but Whites. The White community will yawn and ignore it but go right ahead.

Dave | 9:26 p.m. Oct. 22, 2008

Oh, what victims you poor white folks are, that you don't have your own beauty pageant.

To hear you talk, you sure do feel picked on.

Apparently it's no longer liberals who are all about the "politics of victimization". Good ol' boy white racists can now whine about how pitiful they have it.

Compare white history in the USA with that of blacks or latinos and then cry me a freakin river about how they have a beauty contest.

Waaah.

RE: Easy for you to say... | 9:27 p.m. Oct. 22, 2008

"Did ANY white people feel oppressed over this?"

Yes. Me.

Another... | 9:49 p.m. Oct. 22, 2008

Ute student winning a hot contest. Let's not call them scholarship pageants anymore. Lets get real it is not a scholarship pageant or you would have the not so hot ladies up there.

To bad she is not from BYU. Then all of the naysayers could comment on her being a Mormon.

She is still beautiful.

Mr. White | 9:52 p.m. Oct. 22, 2008

I just wanted to see how many people would think it fine to hold a "Miss White USA" pageant.
I am just curious.

You can answer Yes or No.

Thank you.

This is an offical poll.

Absurd | 10:38 p.m. Oct. 22, 2008

There's no excuse, if it's not right for one group to have exclusivity, it's not right for any. This isn't about a choice of religion, this is about race, as the label of the pagaent clearly states. Does anyone really think an all "white" beauty pagaent that's advertised and sponsored would be allowed? Double standards lead to worse things down the road, count on it.

Incidentally, I looked it up | 11:04 p.m. Oct. 22, 2008

The first African-American woman participated in the Miss USA pageant in 1970. It took so long because it was in the rules: Rule # 7 - "Contestants must be of good health and of the white race."

Saying "white" people are being discriminated against when Latinos hold a pageant is like the rich kids getting mad when the poor kids hold a fund-raiser.

Rather than argue about this any more, I am banning myself from this topic but I urge you, on your own, without engaging in the discussion here, to read up on racism from a perspective not your own and see if you can come to understand, even a little, why people feel discriminated against.

For the record, I am a white, male Republican.

Re: Ignorance @ 7:34 | 11:12 p.m. Oct. 22, 2008

You wrote: "In this case Latino women got together to have a scholarship contest (you know, education, other possitives) and it was awarded to a local. CELEBRATE!"

I am sure Franca deserves this honor, and she should be congratulated for it...

...but the fact remains that a group of white women could not come together in the same way to hold a Miss White USA pageant. That would be judged racist.

Our society will not progress until we have eliminated ALL racism - no exceptions.

Like duh | 11:31 p.m. Oct. 22, 2008

There is a "Miss White USA" pageant. It's called Miss USA, Miss America and every other pageant that has been around.
The Black and Latino pageants arose out of neccessity because they were not being represented.
Seriously, if there are white people out there whining about this, look aorund you. This whole world caters to you. Get over it. Go vote or something.

oh please mr white | 12:00 a.m. Oct. 23, 2008

You are so racist. The way bigger problem here is the fact that pageants still exist at all. They are irrelevant to any woman who thinks herself of any worth beyond beauty and youth.

Jamie | 12:43 a.m. Oct. 23, 2008

Congratulations Diana, we are very proud of you for this, and all your other, accomplishments. You are such a neat girl and you deserve everything you have achieved. Keep up the good work and I hope we will see you again soon.

@ Hmmmm... | 1:07 a.m. Oct. 23, 2008

Well, I guess you just displayed your ignorance. For one thing, being Latina means you are from Latin America, not that you are part of a certain race or ethnicity or language. There are Latinas that are Japanese, Chinese, Caucasian, black, Jewish, German, British, Italian, Dutch, etc. If you'd spent any time in Latin America at all, you'd know that it's every bit as racially and ancestrally diverse as Europe or the U.S.

And the fact that Ms. Franca speaks Portuguese doesn't make her non-Latina--it happens to be the national language of Brazil, the largest country in Latin America. The national language of Paraguay is Guarani, a native American language. Scattered throughout Latin America you will find numerous groups whose native language is other than Spanish, although not the national language of their country. Quechua the most widely spoken Native American language, spoken by more than 10 million people in the Andes region (decidedly part of Latin America).

So take your cloistered ignorance and go do a little self-education before making bizarre comments about what should be a heralded achievement (and no I'm not Latina or Latino, just someone who enjoys the cultures and peoples).

Jason - not all Utahns... | 1:20 a.m. Oct. 23, 2008

are Racist. Please don't group everyone in a category unless you know every single person in that state. Also, not all of these comments are from people in Utah. I congratulate this young woman on her achievement.

The Face wearing the Crown. | 4:33 p.m. Oct. 23, 2008

My name is Diana Franca and I am Miss US Latina 2009. This is the only time I will comment on the issue, not because I feel the need to justify myself, but because I believe there are misconceptions that need to be addressed. Thank you for those who have congratulated me and your support means a lot.
First and foremost let me start by saying this pageant is not racist; it is a celebration of culture, not skin color. FYI, the pageants mentioned on prior comments such as Miss USA and Miss America have faults of their own. Non-citizens of the U.S.A. are not allowed to participate in the latter, is that racist? Before judging, perhaps a couple of you should address all angles of the issue. Am I to be kept from representing something so important to me, something that defines me, my culture, simply because it carries the title of Latina, fearing I might offend some individuals that are so closed minded that all they can see is what they choose to see. No.

The Face behind the Crown | 4:57 p.m. Oct. 23, 2008

It is ironic how I was criticized for being blonde (which is by the way my natural hair color), and yet, on a different website, I was criticized for not ï¿½lookingï¿½ Latina. Iï¿½m a real woman. Beauty is subjective and if you are so closed minded as to have a set image you feel I should fulfill, I feel sorry for you. And as far as this being a ï¿½hotï¿½ contest or a scholarship pageant, let me tell you a little of my academic history: I graduated #1 in my senior class of 547 students with a 4.0 GPA. I was named sterling scholar of world languages, received Academic-All-American and All-State, and was named a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce scholar. I attended New York University for my first year of college, where I made the Deanï¿½s list. You decide.

The Face behind the Crown | 4:58 p.m. Oct. 23, 2008

Did I mention I speak English, Portuguese, AND Spanish? I have worked very hard to be where I am. So before you throw stereotypical judgments upon a person you know nothing about, I encourage you to educate yourselves and realize that there is a history behind the face carrying the crown. Once again thank you for the support, and I am honored to represent the state of Utah and the U.S.A on the upcoming international competition.

You go girl. | 7:26 p.m. Oct. 23, 2008

Congrats! You're beautiful. Much success and happiness.

CougarKeith | 11:22 a.m. Oct. 24, 2008

To "Cougar K Being Absurd": I would be a fool to think the pageant was GOVERNMENT SPONSORED, when did I mention this? You yourself MADE the point: "go start one and exclude everybody but Whites. The White community will yawn and ignore it but go right ahead". You are dead on accurate with that statement, and why is that? Because they wouldn't want to be considered "Racist" for participating in a pageant that would exclude "Minorities". If it was a Miss LDS pageant or a Miss "X" Highschool Pageant which just happened to be all white, that is different because we are talking about a culture here, or women in a certain School or club not a race. The simple point I was trying to make is how funny it is that Non-EuroAmericans can do things EuroAmericans can't, and get away with it! That was the point I was trying to make. I am happy for the girl, happy for our community that SHE, a U student won, I just wanted to point out everyone screams for an equal playing field, then does something as a group to change that EQUAL playing field. My point has been well made!

WhohasCulture? | 2:21 p.m. Oct. 24, 2008

Whites and Causcasians have a culture too.

I think it is okay to "Celebrate" it when they choose whitout complaint or interference from other races or cultures.

And those who say they don't are only making excuses and justificatins for their actions behaviors or activities or "celebrations" and they are only kidding themselves.

I mean think about it, if caucasians do not have their own culture how can others of another culture or race accuse their own of being too white?

Also a Cougar | 3:41 p.m. Nov. 4, 2008

Dear Cougar Keith, Mr White etc ...

It is quite obvious you are haters and you are not 100% happy for Diana Franca. If you were truly happy for her, you wouldn't make your racists comment such as how non-Europeans can get away with things EuroAmericans can't. What is she getting away with? She won a beauty pageant and scholarship! If you look at the CEOS of Fortune 500 companies they are pretty much all white males. On average, white men still make more money than women particularly women of color. So stop complaining that brown people get all the privileges. You have no idea what it is like to be brown. I met a black guy over the summer - college educated with a job in the broadcasting industry back East. I was very moved when he described what it was like to be questioned by the police everytime he is pulled over. Have you heard of racial profiling? Well he says it SUCKED to always be interrogated for no reason!

Flavio | 6:36 a.m. Nov. 5, 2008

Apos ter lido todas estas mensagens,alguns expressando felicidades pela Diana representar Utah e a UofU e outros discutindo sobre racismo. Fico feliz por ter sido uma Brasileira que ganhou este titulo para UofU demonstrando a beleza, simpatia, inteligencia da mulher latina que esta presente em todas as passarelas do mundo. Por isso tenho orgulho de ser Brasileiro e ter estudado na mesma universidade. Por outro lado fico triste das pessoas nao compreenderem a dificuldade de se ganhar algo ainda mais fora do seu pais de origem, temos que demonstrar que somos os melhores e acima de tudo combater este preconceito ridiculo que as pessoas nao deixam de lado.
Parabens Daiana voce merece!!!

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