On Jan. 30, 2001, legislators in Atlanta voted to change the Georgia flag. For 45 years, the brightly colored battle emblem of the Confederacy had been the main feature of the flag. But a bill passed on that balmy winter day reduced this Rebel symbol to an inconspicuous, "historical" feature on a redesigned state banner.
The vote was emotional. Tears were shed on both sides, and bitter words were uttered in the street outside. The Confederate battle flag, once so closely identified with life in the Deep South, was now so controversial that even some who revered it backed away from supporting it. The previous year, after a similarly heated debate, South Carolina had removed the Confederate battle flag from atop its state Capitol.
Confederate symbolism is no longer an issue of North vs. South, as it was in the Civil War. The issue now, though not strictly a matter of black vs. white, is about race relations and the passions they ignite.
Some people, including a strong majority of black Americans, say the memory of the Confederacy is bound up with the evil of slavery. They say Rebel symbols -- from the battle flag to the tune "Dixie" -- have been invoked so often by white supremacists that they have been co-opted for hateful purposes. Defenders of Confederate heritage say the 19th-century Rebels deserve respect for their courage and sacrifice, not for racial policies their government supported. These people point out, correctly, that most Rebels were not slaveholders.
It's an argument that may rage for decades. And undoubtedly there are sincere, well-meaning people on both sides. But however one feels about the legacy of the Confederacy, no one can deny that it is a painful issue. That is why it is amazing that Confederate symbols are still so conspicuous in the heart of the American pageant world.
The Spring 2001 issue of Pageantry magazine features two pages of snapshots of the "Southern States Ball," a Confederate-themed shindig held in the fall in Atlantic City, N.J. The annual event draws Southern luminaries from the Miss America system, and is part of the festivities surrounding the Miss America Pageant.
The magazine is not critical of what went on there. The two top executives of Pageantry magazine are shown beaming in the company of men in Confederate uniforms. Many pageant celebrities apparently were on hand, though no people of color are evident in the many photographs.
All the Southern states have substantial black populations, some as much as 25 percent. Many have sent black contestants to Miss America. Is identification of the South with the Confederacy not the least bit insensitive in this day and age?
Pageants are meant to be unifying events. Beauty queens are crowned to represent all the people in their "jurisdictions," and there are few places in America that are not fairly diverse in population. Beauty queens don't campaign for candidates, they don't adopt issues that may alienate large groups of people. Is a Confederate ball, which millions of Americans would find offensive, totally acceptable in the pageant world?
Perhaps we are seeing this issue from the wrong perspective. Perhaps pageant people are so tolerant that they can shrug off differences that divide the general population. Still, considering the fact that Southern governments are retreating from divisive Confederate symbolism, we believe it is time for the pageant world to do the same.
We want to know what you think, and whether you care. Let us know.
A Western perspective on a Southern controversy
In the Western states we're removed geographically and philosophically from much of the debate and passion of the Confederate symbol issue. We do, however, deal with issues relating to Native American culture. The Alaskan tribes did battle with environmentalists in recent years over their native tradition of whale hunting. At this moment, the Idaho Legislature has a bill pending to remove the word "squaw" from historical places statewide. The passion with which tribal leaders conveyed that the word is as offensive to their people as the word "whore" is to everyone else was compelling. It's less about political correctness than it is about respect for other cultures.
In 1999, a few days after Miss USA Kimberly Pressler graced the Miss Universe stage in a spectacular red, white and blue feathered headdress and leather costume, I was having lunch with some tribal members of the Coeur d'Alenes. I described Miss USA's costume and remarked that it was a beautiful tribute to our Native Americans. One of the elders then explained that such a costume was not a tribute at all, more of a sacrilege. I was intrigued as he continued to educate me. The feathered headdresses were reserved for great warriors of the male gender. The Indians do not consider such things as costumes; they are regalia with both military and religious significance. The feathers and beads are not unlike the medals worn by highly decorated military officers in our culture.
He then asked if I would consider it appropriate for Miss USA to wear a costume of a 4-star general. Or would a costume of the Pope's robes on Miss Italy or Hitler's SS uniform on Miss Germany be offensive? I came away with a clearer understanding of a culture that I thought I knew well.
There is a correlation between our Native American issues and those debated in the South. If we are to be "one nation, under God," don't we all have an obligation to respect the opinions and cultural beliefs of one another?
Pageants are part of this century's culture, and there's no reason that people in the industry cannot set an example by respecting the regional culture in this country.
I'd like to think that the publishers of Pageantry magazine and the organizers of the traditional Southern States Ball were merely naive as to the perception they created by celebrating the Confederacy, not unlike my misguided perception that Miss USA was honoring the Native Americans in her spectacular feathered costume.
With the visibility of titleholders all across this land, much progress can be made by continuing the dialogue and learning if we're all open to hearing every voice, and in the words of my Native American friends, keeping a good heart.
Kerri Thoreson
Idaho
