 "Photo: Lisle Alderton")
 "Photo: Lisle Alderton")
 "Photo: Lisle Alderton")
She drew a roaring applause during a speech about the continued importance of fight for racial equality, she wowed the crowd as she cried “This is a man’s world, but it wouldn’t be nothing with out a woman,” during her soulful performance of the James Brown classic, and she sealed the deal with the her academic success and career ambitions.
The Miss Black and Gold Pageant, which is in its 11th year, was created to uplift African-American women on K-State’s campus. The theme was “The Essence of Ebony.”
“The reason we started the pageant is because historically, black women in the media have not been seen in a positive light,” said Michael Davis, junior in animal sciences and industry and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha. “For instance, they have been told their hair was too nappy. What we want to show here is not only the beauty but the intelligence of black women, and offer a venue for them to showcase their beauty, talent and their intelligence.”
Those in attendance were generally impressed by the quality of the event.
“I thought it was an excellent event; all the women were beautiful,” said Seth Ellis, junior in secondary education. “They were all well-spoken, and it was just all together a great event.”
Contestants were judged in a number of categories including GPA, career wear, swimwear, formal wear, a talent section for contestants to showcase their various talents and their responses during the question and answer portion of the event.
Muhwezi sealed her victory during the question and answer section of the pageant.
All contestants were asked if organizations such as the NAACP and The Urban League were still important in the black struggle today considering the recent election of our first black president, and the appointment of our first black attorney general.
Muhwezi, a first generation American from Wichita whose parents immigrated to America from Uganda, explained discrimination in this country against African Americans as being systematic.
“It will take more than one organization ... It will take more than one black president to change all the oppression African Americans have faced for over 400 years,” Muhwezi said.
Along with the title of Miss Black and Gold and Miss Talent, Muhwezi also won Miss Career for her introductory speech and her appearance during the career wear portion of the pageant, and Miss GPA. Along with the title, Muhwezi won a $500 scholarship for next semester.
Many audience members agreed with the judges’ decision and saw Muhwezi as the clear winner of the event.
“She showed the most out of all the women as far as academic wise, as far as her speech and she just took it home,” Ellis said.
Gernae Roland, senior in psychology, won the title of Miss Gold, or first runner-up, Miss Souvenir Book and Miss Sisterhood. Roland delighted audiences and judges alike during the talent section of the pageant when she paid tribute to Michael Jackson by dancing to a number of his greatest hits. Roland received a $300 scholarship.
Christa Martinez, freshman in family studies, took home the title of Miss Black, or second runner-up, as well as Miss Dedication for her commitment to the event. Martinez received a $200 book scholarship for next semester. Shannon Keys won the title of Miss Diligence for selling the most tickets to the event.
Miss Black and Gold has traditionally been an event created specifically for African American women. However, this year two Hispanic women competed in the pageant: Karla Camacho, senior in american ethnic studies and social sciences, took home the title of Miss Swimwear, and Vanessa Acosta-Carrillo, junior in life sciences and pre-nursing, won the title Miss Formalwear.
“I think they all did a really good job” said Antonio Cherry, a student at Junction City High School. “I think they all deserved to win.”
20 comments
It's crazy to me that after all these comments, after all these people have tried to explain to you what this pageant is truly about, you are only internalizing the parts that you want to. You skip the part about embracing women and only look act the race factor. You skip the part about why the men of Alpha Phi Alpha continue to have this event and instead of seeing how great of a program it is, you search for the negative. I truly don't understand why the purpose of this pageant is such a hard thing for you to grasp, but I hope one day I'll be able to meet you or you can talk to someone face to face on this matter because these comments aren't helping you at all.O and Lou, I'm a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. PHI-OOP!
I don't understand why you have such an issue with this event. I do agree with your comment "if it were a contest for white women, the hypocrites would be out in droves." Yes this is very true but white women don't really have a need to hold an event like this. Looking at why this event took place: “The reason we started the pageant is because historically, black women in the media have not been seen in a positive light.” This is true. There is no denying that the portrayal of African-American women in the media has been an issue in the past. White women don't have issues with their portrayal in the media. Yes there are random issues here and there but not a generalized negative portrayal of white women. So why can't they hold this event without being scrutinized. They aren't hurting you, you could have hurt them but they aren't even letting your negative comments get in their way. So why don't you just save your breath(fingers), back off and apologize for the comment in the first place. Yes you may have this opinion but keep it to yourself. It is unecessary and rude. Kristine, have some decency and choose your battles. P.S. I am a white female
‘06
READ the article! “The reason we started the pageant is because historically, black women in the media have not been seen in a positive light,” said Michael Davis.
This pageant was a great experience and has taught us to have more confidence, open up to new friendships, and showcase our talents, intellegence, grace, and elegance. These concepts have been missing in media portrayals for years. We are breaking strereotypes as well as helping one another become better women.
and in response to one commenter
Yeah, like on my blog i write poetry to uplift Black people
the media and all these racist people spew so much hate online
it's sickening. So some people accuse me of being racist because
i uplift Black people. Then to top it off, they're saying all people should be
uplifted but i don't think people go through all the negative things
imposed on us AA
P.R
jews will have big noses,
black people will have funny hair,
asians will have squinty eyes,
middle eastern people will look like terrorists,
white people will be panicky and pretentious
and mexicans will be illegals draining our economy.
I imagine if you are living human you are probably pissed off by now. good then. get over yourself.
the truth of the matter is, our forefathers set forth a template for a country to embrace infinite change, and they did an excellent job laying the groundwork.
it is now our duty to extend the opportunity to every man, woman, and child, to be a part of the greatest nation.
not only as an equal, but as a sister, or brother. my name is irrelevant,
and I love everyone of you dirty fu*king foul human beings for whatever you are and whatever you aspire to become. the fact remains, everyone wants a part of the american pie.
Ms. Gold 2009