Beauty pageants
Guyana has seen an increase recently in the number of beauty pageants held. Beauty, not in the fairy tale connotation, but in the all-encompassing sense that those in the know say should reveal style, grace, charm, a well co-ordinated figure and some amount of intelligence. There is no shortage of contestants. Some young ladies enter pageant after pageant using the experience gained along the way to propel themselves, hopefully, into being the one wearing the crown at some point. But apart from the nerves, shaking legs, cheers, boos, and the euphoria of being crowned queen, what do these contestants gain? In some instances, not even the lucrative prizes which were advertised to pull them into entering in the first place. In other parts of the world, beauty pageants have propelled young women into modelling and acting careers. In fact, some pageants offer this as part of the prize. In the United States, the Miss America Pageant offers scholarships to its winners and is one of the most competitive in that country. Its entrants are for the most part university graduates who are hoping to win a grant to further their studies. These young ladies are required to have a talent in the arts--music, dance, song--which demonstrates that they are well-rounded students and the best choice for the educational grant. Pageant holders in Guyana tend to overload the competition with too many segments, making it too long-winded and boring instead of entertaining as it ought to be. Specific pageants ought to encompass only that which is relevant. For instance, why should a sari pageant have an intelligence segment? An Indian talent/knowledge segment alone would be appropriate here. An intelligence section is desirable in a Miss Guyana pageant, particularly if the winner is going to represent Guyana abroad. Proper preparation for pageants is also desirable; not only by pageant holders, but by the would-be queens. Young ladies should decide this year that they are going to be Miss Whatever next year and work towards it. Starting a month or a week in advance is not an option. No amount of practice can prepare a person in such a short time. Rushed preparation makes for harried-looking beauties and a mediocre show. Beauty pageant franchise holders worldwide have fought with women's rights groups for years over the holding of these shows and have tried, with some amount of success, to move the beauty pageant away from the "cattle market" stigmatisation. Thus the introduction of intelligence and talent sections. Guyana's pageants need work. Perhaps the establishment of a national pageant committee, with input from the Ministry of Culture would help. This committee should include all pageant/franchise holders and should set rules by which these shows must be run. This must also incorporate the timely handing over of prizes. Beauty pageants in Guyana can have a double function. If correctly coordinated, they, apart from entertaining, could serve as a sort of finishing school for young ladies. Teaching them to speak properly, walk erectly and care for and respect their bodies.
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