My bone to with Miss Supranational South Africa 2024 🇿🇦and pageantry as a whole part 2!
Good morning/afternoon/evening, you beautiful people!
I rewatched Bryoni's performance and for a while I didn't understand why she did not advance into the top 5, but now I do (in my opinion!)
She has always mentioned that she is an Indian South Africa and while there is absolutely nothing wrong with mentioning your roots. I found it difficult to hear because I felt that she did not fully accept our rainbow nation. Indians are just as South African as the rest of us and we do not reject nor discriminte against them. So why was she discriminating against herself on a world stage? It would be like me going on a world stage representing my rainbow nation amd introducing myself as a black South African. When the occasion did not call for that but instead needed me to rally my people regardless of race or culture as one whole people, as one whole nation.
It makes us look flaky because she was wearing the South African sash and not her own name. There was nothing that she said that could inspire everyone. It was so racially specific. When Zozi said that she wants us to see our faces reflected in hers, she never mentioned race. Take from it what you need. She's tall, dark-skinned, slender, has short hair, is an African. It's inspiring to so many, not just her nationality and her race.
Race is such a touchy subject and it's best to avoid race and politics, unless you're competing in Miss Grand! They will for sure ask a controversial question and even so all the women who go on to win, have had a diplomatic answer.
If one does mention race, why not make it empowering. How have you overcome and how will you help others to appreciate and love their skin and features?
I was just a little taken aback because she mentioned race in Miss South Africa before and I feel that's what cost her the top plum.
Why didn't she talk about her career and how she can utilize the platform of pageantry for the greater good, as a platform of leadership and service? To embrace her power, face her future and help others to do the same. To be an inspirational and aspirational woman! We love hearing a brand's slogan in an answer. It's a job interview afterall, show us why we should pick you, why you are deserving and how you push the brand forward. And be earnest about it too!
It was deflating, supporting her and praying for her only to hear her not even mention her advocacy or what she can do with the Miss Supranational title. I felt rejected by her, as she was just talking about her race, her people! What about the other South Africans who are not Indian that she was also supposed to be representing? Indian food and culture has become intertwined in the tapestry of South Africa. Does she not see that? I love curry too! I love, respect and admire Indian culture, food and story telling, as many South Africans do!
Why does our national representative not see all of South Africa? All of the colours that make up the rainbow nation? We want to hear her story from a place of triumph not doubt. How was her mere existence only Supranational at Miss Supranational?
Mentioning race and cultural differences causes division. That's why we love rugby so much, we all see ourselves represented. When we see our captain Siya Kolisi, it is not just a win for the black child. It is also a win for the poor child, the struggling child. That kind of inspiration supercedes race. He is an inspiration to so many because his story is one of hope and triumph. That kind of inspiration can decrease racism and cultural divide even just a little bit and that's what I want to see.
Question of the week: do you believe that our national representatives should include the entire nation or mainly their own race and culture?
All my love❤️
Ruthy
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