Ugly Bettys

I've always been intrigued by America's fascination with beauty. Never mind that no two individuals have similar conceptions of what makes someone attractive -- we've gotten the art of "being pretty" down to a science. Fashion magazines are proof of that. Makeup, shaving kits and hair products are proof of that. With all this, we're supposed to find time to be a perfect student, perfect wife, perfect mother. \nCollege campuses, particularly, serve as a battleground over double standards for women. While some feminists bitterly argue that models reinforce negative body images, other feminists are eager to be the next Tyra Banks. In this culture of anything goes, some women against reproductive choice have even started labeling themselves as women's rights activists. Betty Friedan would be so proud. \nSo I shouldn't have been surprised that the crowning of the new Miss Indiana University raised no eyebrows on campus. Let me be the first, then, to express my utter disappointment at University officials and pageant organizers who allowed this charade to happen. I'm not going to spend time criticizing the women who participated. I would venture to say that most of them are smart women who made questionable choices to be involved. No, the issues here are much larger than them. In simple terms, Miss IU perpetuates the notion that in order for women to be heard, they need to look a certain way. \nWhat is perhaps the most egregious part of this fiasco is the attempt to market the pageant as a "scholarship" opportunity. I understand that in order to win an award, one must have some special talents. But what is it exactly that screams talent when walking on stage in a bathing suit? \nAnd if pageant officials are serious about looking for role models, why limit it to just women? Why not create a Mr. IU? If we can place impossible standards on women, what stops us from placing them on men too? \nLet's also not forget the eligibility rules for Miss IU. You must have always been a woman, never been married and obviously, never been pregnant -- virginal beauties, indeed. Now, I know that pageant officials will respond that they don't make the rules, the national organization does. So here's my challenge to all the people involved in this parade. While I think that it serves a lot of good for women to be given a platform from where they can create awareness for issues, can we devise one without subjecting them to sexist standards? \nFor every step forward that women have taken, we've taken two steps back. It baffles me that some women continue to justify pageants -- a source of ire for feminists for decades. Have we really come full circle? The truth is, Miss IU represents how men and women are measured by different yardsticks. It perpetuated stereotypes that have manifested themselves in ugly ways. If equality has degenerated into a contest that sets unrealistic expectations on women, don't sign me up.