Integrity vs. Conformation

A recent controversy has stemmed over the Miss USA Pageant sponsored by Donald Trump. This year's Top 5 contestents consisted of Laura Kirilova Chukanov: Miss Utah, Kristen Dalton: Miss North Carolina, Maria Elizabeth Montgomery: Miss Kentucky, Carrie Prejean: Miss California, and Alicia-Monique Blanco: Miss Arizona. These five beautiful women represented their states in the Top 5 for the title of Miss USA.

In the final Top 5, the contestents must first answer a question pertaining to an interesting fact about themselves. Miss North Carolina was asked what made her beautiful and her response was that she treats people in a beautiful way. Miss Arizona was asked why her nickname was Daddy Longlegs and her response was about her cousin's at first, bashing nickname. Miss Utah was asked about a program she wanted to develop and she answered with a some sort of Pen Pal program. Miss California was asked about basketball and she explained her scholarship in college and how she is so passionate about it. Miss Kentucky was asked what she looks for in a man and she answered that she

In the Judge question round, Kelly Monaco asked if tax payers money should be used to bail out struggling US companies. This question was asked to Miss North Carolina who answered no and said that the money should go towards education, welfare, and other programs other than bailing out companies. Miss Arizona was asked by Kenan Thomson if the US should have Universal Health Care as a right as a citizen. She answered basically that it is an issue of integrity ... and that's it. Miss Utah was asked by Claudia Jordan if the US should help other countries hold elections while our country is in a recession. Miss California was asked by Perez Hilton whether or not same sex marriage should be legalized. She answered that a marriage should be between a man and a woman though she was proud to be a part of a country that allowed this choice. Lastly, Miss Kentucky was asked by Ryan Graden about Chris Brown and Rhianna's recent violent fight and whether or not she would speak out and what she would say. She answered that she would speak out and that it is a horrific situation.

Now let's jump back to that initial first question that is their "interview" question. If you look here, you can watch the entire thing, word for word, online. The first question was posed to Miss North Carolina had a bit of an odd response. You could tell each one of these women were nervous because sometimes, their responses did not make as much sense. But who wouldn't be nervous on live national television and for a diamond crown worth more than my life?
Miss Arizona was next and her answer was honest and straightforward.
Next was Miss Utah who had a bit of an odd question and answer. It seemed to me as if a program like this has already been started, several actually.
Miss California's answer was straightforward and honest as well.
And lastly, Miss Kentucky's answer was a bit shallow, but honest. Actually, a lot shallow. But still, honest.

Moving on the the Judge's questions...
Miss North Carolina's answer was what the judges wanted to hear. Secondly, if we are going to be putting money into a welfare program, that's just going to aid ALL of those who lost their job due to the government's rejection to bailout the company. So why not bail them out, keep thousands of jobs, and still allow these families a source of reliable income?
Miss Arizona's answer pertaining to universal health care was interesting. She never answered the question. She simply stated that it was an issue of integrity and never took a position. She babbled on about how her family raised her on integrity and then repeated that either side is justifiable.
Miss Utah's answer about the US's money going towards other country's elections I believe was something else that the judge's wanted to hear. It goes along with the whole "World Peace" movement that is constantly supported but never put into action by pageant girls. If we're putting all that money towards other country's elections, what about that bailout 'cause that money surely isn't supporting our own country. And God knows Afghanistan would never do the same for us.
Miss California's answer about same sex marriage was the best answer I heard all night. She responded honesty and with tact. She first expained that she was proud of her country for allowing this to happen but just because she was proud did not mean she agreed with it. For that, I respect her. She stood up to a man who was indeed homosexual and stated honestly that she did not agree with his lifestyle. Now, everyone is entitled to their opinions. She simply made hers a national known opinion. She lives in a state where this is legal and yet she does not back down. I don't know about anyone else, but I would rather have a Miss USA who stands up for what she believes in regardless of what others wants to hear and does it with "integrity" (cough cough Miss Arizona).
Lastly, Miss Kentucky's answer about the violence between Chris Brown and Rhianna was at first, executed well. But then she did not answer the entire question. She completely forgot to address what she would actually say if in that situation.

Overall, under the given circumstances, these women all answered for the most part, the best that they could. They were under a lot of pressure, stress, and nerves and still delivered rather well.
I would argue though that none of these women took advantage of the fact that they had an extensive amount of time to explain themselves. None of the women ever went anywhere near the allowed speaking time.

In this controversial issue of who should have won...
I do believe that Miss California genuinely deserved the crown. I don't agree that Miss North Carolina does not deserve the crown, just that Miss California is more deserving of this honor. She was honest, she told what she believed, not what everyone wanted to hear. As I said before, I would want someone to represent our country who could feel confident enough to express their opinions but still do it with honor and respect directed towards those around her. Yes, Miss Carolina did as she was asked, but she conformed and did it in a way that she knew would please the judges.

As far as all of the other blogs go online, there have been many bashes at both women for the entire program. And towards Donald Trump. It is all nothing but bad publicity, uncalled for, and rude and disrespectful for these women who have worked hard to be where they are now.

Way to go Miss North Carolina, way to go Miss California. And Congrats...
but remember your character.