Word: miss
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...Last month, James and her outraged peers launched Miss-Ogynist University of London - a campaign that calls for the "degrading" pageant to be scrapped before its grand finale. Three-hundred people have joined the Facebook group, and together they have organized debates and rallies in London, and convinced several student unions to ban pageant advertisements on campus because they violate the "safe space" policy of various university charters. Feminist ire isn't just directed at pageant organizers either. They also point the finger at contestants who they feel possess a false sense of emancipation. "Their attention-seeking is completely misplaced...
Sometime past midnight at London's Crystal Night Club, the lights dim and the DJ drops a mellow beat. Right on cue, Julia Theresa Heller, a leggy 19-year old, struts across the stage in her bid to become Miss King's College 2008. "I'm originally from Germany and I love chocolate," she says to the judges, flashing a toothy smile as blinding as her blonde locks. "Just like me it's sweet, and definitely bad for you." When asked by the emcee to describe the superpower she'd most like to possess, Heller, a business management student, doesn...
...layer of foundation, the beauty pageant is thriving at London's most elite universities. More than 400 women from institutions such as King's College, the London School of Economics and University College London applied to compete in six preliminary rounds, which started November 4, and culminate in the Miss University London finale in February 2009. Thus far, more than 2,000 people have paid ?15 pounds ($22) to attend the events, held at Crystal, an underground nightclub frequented by Kevin Spacey and Paris Hilton...
...Christian Emile, the 22-year old founder of 121 Entertainment, the events company behind Miss University London and weekly party nights at clubs throughout London, claims the pageant instills confidence in the contestants, and does not promote the objectification of women. "We're not about girls coming out in bikinis and skanky outfits like at fashion shows or other pageants," he says. "We're creating a glamorous night out for the girls." To that end, there is no swimsuit competition, all evening gowns must touch the floor, and, despite the cattle comparisons, organizers say they don't measure breasts...
...preliminary events have now been decided, but this ugly row over beauty will doubtlessly continue. For now, some may take solace in the crowning of Tia Roberts, a third year law student, as Miss King's 2008. On stage, she spoke of her ambitions to become a human rights lawyer, made references to the works of Jane Austen and dispelled myths about her Thai background. "Before you ask," Roberts told the judges, "I'm not a ladyboy or a mail-order bride." In that sense, the pageant just might have slayed some stereotypes after...