The announcement of a young white woman winning the Miss Universe Zimbabwe pageant in a country with a 98% black population has sparked a frenzy on social media.
According to Breitbart, 21-year-old Brooke Bruk-Jackson, a Harare native and part-time model, emerged victorious among 11 other finalists to claim the coveted crown on Saturday, September 16.
This marked the first time in 22 years that Zimbabwe was able to hold its Miss Universe Competition. As a result, Bruk-Jackson will now represent her country in the upcoming 72nd Miss Universe pageant in El Salvador in November.
Despite Bruk-Jackson's achievement, social media users have expressed their anger and frustration towards the pageant for honoring her due to her skin color. However, Bruk-Jackson herself has eloquently addressed this issue, emphasizing that a person's worth should not be defined by the color of their skin or who they choose to associate with. Her sentiment resonates with people from all walks of life.
Nevertheless, the backlash on social media has been significant. Critics argue that there is no outrage when a person of color wins a beauty pageant in a predominantly white country, citing the example of a black woman winning Miss Ireland in 2021.
They argue that true beauty knows no boundaries and comes in all colors.
In light of the controversy, it is worth noting that Bruk-Jackson's victory would have been even more significant if former Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe, known for his murderous and racist regime, had been alive to witness it. Undoubtedly, his reaction to this historic moment would have been noteworthy.
The social media frenzy surrounding Bruk-Jackson's win highlights the ongoing debate about race and representation in beauty pageants. While some celebrate her accomplishment as a step towards inclusivity, others question the fairness of a white woman winning in a predominantly black country.
As the Miss Universe pageant approaches, all eyes will be on Bruk-Jackson as she represents Zimbabwe on the global stage.
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