"Pretty hurts, perfection is a disease of a nation." I take this songs as a social commentary on the unrealistic ideals and expectations of young women in todays society. The cycle of perfectionism is as follows; unrealistic expectations, self-blame, reduced self-confidence and defensiveness, reduced productivity, and then finally a demand for higher standards which repeat the cycle. In the song Beyonce quotes "pageant the pain away" I take this to mean that winning a crown to the character she represents in the video is a sign of a validation of her "perfection" or her "pretty" which aids to boost her low self-esteem due to the standards set up for her by society. I also find it interesting that in the lyrics she states "blonder hair, flat chest" as these tend to be the standards of beauty that we see in models, actresses, and other famous/desirable women today. However in the video it is evident that her character fits none of these molds and struggles within herself to become something she is not. My last note is that Beyonce "Miss Third Ward" ends up placing second to a contestant who seems to fit these societal ideals more than she does, furthering the obvious truth that people gravitate toward the woman who fits into the desirable mold.
As a young woman and a title holder in the Miss America pageant system, I am not offended by this video even though I think it displays a negative stereotype on the pageant world. I believe that Ms. Knowles has a right as an artist and as a role model to address issues facing the young women of our world today. The issue of perfection and the effects of the media on the self-esteem of women is something that affects young ladies on a daily basis, wether they are immediately aware of it or not. I believe that unrealistic expectations are forced upon young women today, these expectations are only heightened within the world of pageants. With that said I believe it is our duty as young women to take a step back and examine our own happiness (after all being happy was Miss Third Ward's only aspiration in life), we must first and foremost take care of ourselves, our bodies and our minds so that we can rise above the cycle of perfection and transcend the traditional standards of beauty set foreword by society. (After all isn't this what Beyonce has done during her own successful career? She herself is a successful, independent, woman who does not fit the ideal size 2, blonde haired, blue eyed standard.)
As a pageant contestant and title holder I have worked hard to establish myself as a hardworking, articulate, successful, intelligent, and well rounded young woman. I refuse to let any negative stereotype hold me back along my way. We cannot ignore the fact that in our world an unattainable and ever increasing ideal of perfection exists. I thank Beyonce for addressing this important issue to our society; even if negative pageant stereotypes had to be used as the vehicle for this message. To me it is evident that the Miss America Organization is an organization of sisterhood between its participants as well as an organization that seeks to promote and bring out the very best in young ladies across our nation. We represent scholarship, style, service and success and will continue to do so for years to come. It also makes me smile to know that I belong to an organization that is transcending societies ideals of typical perfection. In the past year the Miss America Organization has crowned girls that "break the mold" on local, state and national levels. MAO's ideals of beauty have surely grown, and I look foreword to the day that the rest of the nation follow; this way pretty won't have to hurt.
Sincerely,
Maren Goff
Miss Moorhead 2013
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