Race Debate: White Beauty Queen at Black School Pens Plea to Obama
AFP: The "Homecoming Queen" at a traditionally black US university has sent a letter to President Barack Obama, complaining that her win had been questioned on campus because she is white.
But after her letter riled students at Hampton University in Virginia, beauty pageant winner Nikole Churchill issued a public apology, saying she had taken "the comments of a few and blew them out of all p
More..roportion."Churchill, a tall, raven-haired woman who, like Obama, grew up in Hawaii, wrote to the president after winning her university's beauty pageant last week.
"It would be much easier to say that possibly some were not accepting of the news because I wasn?t the most qualified contestant; however, the true reason for the disapproval was because of the color of my skin. I am not African American," the nursing student wrote to the president.
She asked the president for help, suggesting that he visit Hampton University to convince students to "stop focusing so much on the color of my skin and doubting my abilities to represent, but rather be proud of the changes our nation is making towards accepting diversity."
"I am hoping that you can assist me in opening some closed minds," Churchill said.
That brought a raft of reactions, including from students at Hampton University who said race had nothing to do with their disgruntlement at Churchill's election.
"Black or white, this young lady is not qualified to be the face of Hampton University as she is not in tune with the wants, needs, and desires of the student body at large," a person who signed themselves as a graduate of the university commented on the website of Essence, a magazine for black women.
"Although some are outraged by her race, I think most are upset because this young lady has no ties to the student body. She is a transfer student who attends an HU satellite campus. She has never lived in a dorm, eaten in the cafe, or spent time in the Student Center."
Churchill has issued a statement on the university's website, regretting having written to Obama and apologizing for drawing negative attention to Hampton University, which she hailed as being a long-time pioneer of diversity.
The next instalment in the saga is likely to come on October 21, when Churchill is due to be formally "crowned" during Hampton University's week-long homecoming celebrations. Less..
Added: Oct 16 2009 In: news_politics
Recorded on: Oct 16 2009
By: bellava Premium 
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Comments - sort by newest to oldest
Come on Obama, help her out, afterall, you are as closely related race wise to her as you are to those complaining.
Posted Oct-16-2009 by "cat-scratch-fever" (R)
It's racist for them to deny her or question her win because of her skin color. Obama and everyone else who uses the race card should know this already.
Posted Oct-16-2009 by "leojw" (R)
Racism goes both ways
Posted Oct-16-2009 by "manwithaplan" (R)
I read this earlier today. One comment stuck out.
"Black or white, this young lady is not qualified to be the face of Hampton University as she is not in tune with the wants, needs, and desires of the student body at large," a person who signed themselves as a graduate of the university commented on the website of Essence, a magazine for black women.
My question to the author of the quote - "How would you know? Upon what facts do you base that statement?"
Posted Oct-16-2009 by "bardville" (R)
Ohh just wait till Rush gets ahold of this....Why don't YOU all take to the streets and RIOT and LOOT
Posted Oct-16-2009 by "Renob151" (R)
These students are so full of shit. Wahh wahhhhh.
Posted Oct-16-2009 by "rongravy" (R)
HAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!! The racists at that school are screaming their heads off, crying grape koolaid tears and showing exactly what they are, racists who hate anyone other than negroes.
Posted Oct-16-2009 by "Amusing" (R)
Of course she had to apologise. Only whitey can be racist. I mean statements from the black students saying how can we relate to her because she is a different skin colour aren't racist in the slightest.
Are they?
Posted Oct-16-2009 by "fr33thinker" (R)
Unless she's writing him about healthcare she shouldnt be writing him no letters? WTF is wrong with these kids.
Posted Oct-16-2009 by "hlabrake" (R)
That school needs diversity training ASAP! Where be Al and Jesse?
Posted Oct-16-2009 by "Snerple" (R)
christ this crap is making news? so what, no matter what race you are there is always gonna be someone who wants to get in your face.
Posted Oct-16-2009 by "joeindabronx" (R)
If you remember the woman who got that receipt that said "black lady, big fat" and the way she was so bothered by it, you can understand what Im speaking of
This experiment is also an indicator. You may know the study.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_and_Mamie_Clark
Posted Oct-16-2009 by "bardville" (R)
Are they?
They will be until they can grow up as a race.and put this kind of complaining aside.In defense of the black attitude,they have been molly coddled and had their complaints taken seriously ,even when un founded.Sort of conditioned to believe their are the only race that is not racist.The libs at work over the last 50 yrs
Posted Oct-16-2009 by "cocytan" (R)
They should blame the panel; Im guessing they were african american men.
Posted Oct-16-2009 by "noisyassassin" (R)
Now they get a dose of reality like when the rest of America who voted for Obongo as a joke and woke surprised when he actually won.
Posted Oct-16-2009 by "CrackFarmer" (R)