Kate Shindle- "Miss America:More Than a Beauty Queen?"

In Kate Shindle's article "Miss America: More than a Beaty Queen?", there is a slight tone of hostility that Shindle feels towards people who view the nationwide Miss America Pageant as merely a beauty contest. Because Shindle participated and won the crown herself, she adds credible insight on the beauty queen bimbo. People tend to associate or quickly judge these girls as being beautiful but dumb with no real purpose. However, Shindle's artcile serves to demonstrate that these pageant girls are intelligent and know what they are doing to impact the world in a positive way. By using the title of "Miss America" doors will open to speak about serious world dilemas. Shindle confirms, "I helped raise an estimated $20 million to $30 million for HIV/AIDS organizations worldwide, lobbied legislators for more funding and better health-education progams[...]"(614). It is ironic to think that a society that places value on appearance, will discriminate someone who has won the title of national beauty and reducing her intellectual value. According to Shindle, "Though I was on the dean's list at Northwestern [University], suddenly people didn't assume I had a brain" (615). Much like, Stephanie Coontz article "the Way We Wish We Were" about the stereotypes we place on America's families in the past and in the future. For instance, many people have believed that the 1950s was a golden era, especially when it came to the ideal family and household. What people deny to see is that the 50s decade was far from perfect, which "drove thousands of women to therapists, tranquilizers, or alcohol when they actually tried to live up to it" (677). Stereotypes can dominate the entire perseption of a culture, person, or time period. Ultimately, watching the "Miss America" is due to vanity on the audiences part and the program is played for entertainment, yet I still would have to agree with Shindle when she promotes for the show to display more of the interview segment of the pageant in order to break away from the pretty girl in the crown stigma (616)and not forget that this pageant is also a large contributor and advocate for educational scholarships.