Society 
Nigerian Agbani Darego world's most beautiful

afrol News, 17 November - The usually vulgar selection of the world's most beautiful women, the annual Miss World competition, this year finally broke with ancient beauty stereotypes. For the first time since its start-up in 1951, a black African woman, Nigerian Agbani Darego, won the competition.

The event certainly was marked by being held on African soil, in South Africa's luxurious hotel and casino complex Sun City. Elder statesman Nelson Mandela threw the additional glamour over the invited beauties from all over the world - for the first time also including a Chinese representative. Usually marred with feminist protests, this year's event lacked demonstrations. 

Had Miss World become decent among former critics? Surely not. The macho ritual was well maintained by the sleazy American TV host Jerry Springer, host of the event. Springer commented his stay with the girls was "like being a child in a candy shop." Black, brown or white, the girls still were hold mere objects. Over ninety bodies amazed by their resemblance, except for the small aspect of colour. 

Selecting Nigerian Ms. Darego as Miss World 2001 however broke with "beauty" stereotypes of the established white middle-age men, predominantly making the selection. Following a decade of success of black models in Europe and the US, they also finally extended their beauty stereotypes to the black race.

A victory for Africa and Africans? Skipping the grumpy comments on macho "cattle shows", one might take it as a victory in the long battle against racism. Surely, if even those men finally overlook the aspect of colour, one might think even the US might be a step closer to get a black President. That is - a male, black President - of course.

Turning back to the event in Sun City, the inter-racial aspect of the show was further underlined be those girls selected next to Ms. Darego. Second was Ms. Lee from Aruba (Caribbean) and third Ms. Horne from Scotland, followed by girls from China and Nicaragua. The list reads like a world tour of beauty, accepting the non-racial universality of the concept of beauty itself.

But not quite so. The ordinary woman, with her beauty mirrored through the intellect shining from her eyes was not at all present. Nigerian Ms. Darego, herself a computer science student, might very well be an intelligent woman - but that certainly not made her Miss World 2001. A pity.

Ms. Darego herself underlined the ambiguity after the contest saying that when she looked in the mirror she saw a young girl who wanted to be a computer scientist as well as a super model. "I am so, so happy. It's a wonderful feeling and it's indescribable... I know back home they were all watching out for me and I am happy I made them proud," she said.

Sources: Based press reports and afrol archives

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