England claims a first
Everyone talks about how deep racism runs in the US. I’m not gonna deny we’ve got some issues. However, two events occurred today that I think puts things in a different light.
Today is the 25th anniversary year of Vanessa Williams being crowned Miss American. She ran into some difficulties and Suzette Charles took over. The reason that is significant is Vanessa Williams was the first black Miss America. Suzette Charles happened to be the second. In fact, we’ve had a few now:
- 1984 – Vanessa Williams
- 1984 – Suzette Charles
- 1990 – Debbye Turner
- 1991 – Marjorie Vincent
- 1994 – Kimberly Aiken
- 2003 – Erika Harold
- 2004 – Erick Dunlap
- 2007 – Rachel Smith
7 of the last 26. Not too shabby. 23% of them all since 1984. Not bad considering the population is a lot less than that. And, that’s not all. Miss USA competition has had a few black winners as well:
- 1990 – Carole Gist
- 1993 – Kenya Moore
- 1995 – Chelsi Smith
- 2002 – Shauntay Hinton
- 2007 – Rachel Smith
- 2008 – Chrystle Stewart
England is having an event right now as well. Rachel Christie got into a bar fight and has relinquished her crown. She has the distinction of being England’s first black Miss England.
And, although the United States now has a black President, England is still waiting for their first black Prime Minister.
I really think Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson need to take their act to England.