Recently, my mother dared me to be in our city's scholarship pageant (it's the local pageant that eventually leads to Miss America). We both though it would be funny, and everyone who heard about it said it was a laugh, mainly because it was out of character for me. I ended up as 2nd attendant at the end of the pageant.
Now, the director of the pageant wants to know if I would compete again next year. I'm torn. On one hand, I'm a feminist and I'm offended by being given a scholarship for looking fit in a swimsuit and buying a sparkly dress. On the other hand, I was really drawn in by the platform. The winner of the pageant gets to do her platform, sponsored by the city. My platform was about raising awareness about, attempting to prevent, and support victims of sexual violence (living in Utah, the state with the highest number of rapes per capita, I think this is a very important issue).
I'd like to be able to bring this issue forward, especially in a state where sexual violence is largely ignored and kept under wraps. Domestic abuse, incest, rape, gay- and slut-bashing, all of it is very common, but most Utahns will say that "it doesn't happen here" or are not aware of how common and widespread it is. I want to bring the issue to people's attention and start programs in schools and within the city in order to decrease the amount of sexual violence in our community, increase awareness of it, and have resources for victims.
The question becomes: Do I try to win next year's pageant so that I can do my platform or do I not participate and continue activism with less money and support? And, if I do decide to do the pageant, how do I make it less about my body or looks and do this on my own terms?
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I feel your pain. But I don't think participating in the pageant would make you less of a feminist, so long as you use the platform and public eye to make the world a better place. It's not an ideal place to do so, but I think it presents a wonderful opportunity. It could also change the way people in your area and beyond think of beautiful women, as more than eye candy.
Really? Giving people permission to judge your worth based on your appearance doesn't make you less feminist? How does that work?
If you enjoy participating in the pageant, do it. Feminism is about choice; if you feel that this is a choice you are comfortable and positive with, you should do it without reserve.
Maybe you will not receive any money to support your cause, but will change another contestants mind about how to view themselves in reference to feminism. Who knows where life leads?
You could make it less about your body if you choose clothing that points to a different era. Like a 70's style bathing suit or victorian dress. You could totally rock that, make it look acceptable to the pageants standards, and stand out because of your uniqueness.
Then people would say, years from then, "remember that girl who wore that crazy beautiful clothing in the pageant that one year? She made some really good points about sexual violence in our communities." Because in the end, in a pageant, style looks trump platform.