Miss America, Miss Teen USA and Miss USA are all black women for the first time



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Despite a long history of segregation and racism, the largest US parades have broken racial barriers in recent decades. Vanessa Williams became the first black woman to win the Miss America title in 1984. Carole Gist won Miss USA in 1990. Janel Bishop won Miss Teen USA in 1991.

Since then, each competition has had several black winners.

Last week, for the first time, black women wore the crowns of the three main competitions simultaneously.

Cheslie Kryst, 28, won the Miss USA contest and 18-year-old Kaliegh Garris won Miss Teen USA. They joined Nia Franklin, 25, who was crowned Miss Europe 2019 in September.

The three victories have become a powerful symbol of how American views of beauty have evolved from a past marred by racism and sexist stereotypes, even as black leaders are still severely underrepresented in the past. other areas, such as large US companies or Congress.

"It's important for little black and brown girls to see three strong figures, three strong women, African-American women doing remarkable work," Franklin said on Saturday. "People will say that race does not matter. But race counts in America, because of history, because of slavery. "

The announcement of the victories attracted the attention of many Saturdays, attracting words of support from the actress Halle Berry and Senator Kamala Harris, who is fighting for the presidential nomination of the 2020 Democratic Party, among other influential figures.

"Nia, Cheslie and Kaliegh: you are pioneers, you create your own way on your own terms," ​​Harris said on Twitter.

The attention comes as the country rethinks more and more of the long established gender norms, under the impetus of the # MeToo movement. Parades have recently sought to put more emphasis on the lives of women and girls behind the scenes, highlighting their achievements and charity work, instead of their appearances.

The Miss Universe Organization, which runs Miss USA and Miss Teen USA, began allowing transgender women to participate in 2012. Last year, the Miss America organization announced that it would end the swimsuit contest, among other changes.

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