There is a reason I didn't walk backwards during my first walk across stage as Miss Unity 2006. Those first steps forward were literal, as well as metaphorical.
On the night of the pageant, I was excited beyond belief to start my position as Miss Unity and to put my plans for unifying our campus into action. Yet, the Daily News article "History in the Making" that ran on Jan. 23 changed my mind frame.
The article focused on the fact that I am not black, but still won the pageant, which used to be called Miss Black Ball State. With time, the title changed, and so did the purpose of the pageant.
I might have been the first non-black young lady to win this pageant, but I did not do so with the issue of race in mind. It was never my intention to make history; that is far too much of a burden on my shoulders.
Also, by focusing on my ethnicity in the article, important parts of the pageant were left out. My skin color is not something I have any control over, but my voice is a powerful tool that can change lives for the better.
I feel that I reached people with my answer to the final question, which was never so much as mentioned in the article.
If nothing else, the Daily News should at least identify my race correctly when referring to me. On the front page, it clearly states the truth: I am half-Serbian and half-Caucasian, which I embrace and am proud of. Yet, the staff editorial of the issue, entitled "Working as One," refers to me as simply Caucasian.
I did not enter the pageant to fill any particular societal role or stereotype.
I did not enter to make history or be a pioneer to pave the path for girls of all backgrounds to do the pageant.
That should be each prospective contestant's own decision; I obviously made mine.
I chose to compete in the pageant because it embraces the differences in people.
No single person is alike, and that's what is so beautiful about the world.
Diversity enhances education. Life cannot be standardized according to color or background. I feel the Unity Week pageant exemplifies this concept.
While I would like my first steps in my reign as Miss Unity 2006 to be forward in motion, I think this article has made them detrimental instead.
By focusing on skin color and not the contestants themselves, this article ruined the progress that was made during Unity Week.
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