Fresh Air
Miss America ‘68, women’s lib, and the politics of beauty
· Summarized
Key takeaways
- The myth of bra burning was a media creation that obscured the true nature of the 1968 protest and the women's liberation movement.
- Miss America in 1968 was more than just a beauty pageant; it was a symbol of American ideals intertwined with power, patriotism, and consumer culture.
- The 1968 protest was significant for highlighting racial and gender inequalities, especially with the emergence of the Miss Black America pageant.
- Media and cultural symbols like Miss America have historically reflected broader political struggles, including racial segregation and gender inequality.
- Beauty standards in America have been deeply political, shaping and reflecting societal power structures from the '60s to today.
- Modern pageants continue to have political and cultural significance, often echoing current debates over race, gender, and power.
Summary
The Myth of Bra Burning and the 1968 Protest
The episode begins by discussing the popular myth of women burning their bras during the 1968 Miss America protest, revealing that this imagery was fabricated by the media beforehand to sensationalize the event. It highlights how the media and newspaper headlines contributed to shaping this myth and how it overshadowed the actual protest where women threw their bras into a 'freedom garbage can' instead of burning them. The segment emphasizes the influence of media narratives in creating and cementing historical myths.
The Significance of the 1968 Protest and the Politics of Beauty
The episode explores the different groups present at the 1968 Atlantic City protest: women's liberationists challenging the objectification of women, the first Miss Black America pageant contesting racial exclusion, and women defending Miss America, including a young woman wearing a Nixon badge. The discussion details how Miss America symbolized American ideals of beauty tied to power, patriotism, and consumerism and how these ideals have evolved. The protest marked a pivotal moment in tying beauty standards to political power, especially with the rise of the religious right and subsequent political moves.
The Intersection of Race and the Women’s Liberation Movement
This section delves into the role of the Miss Black America pageant as a response to the exclusion of Black women from the traditional Miss America pageant, aiming to challenge racist beauty standards. It discusses the backlash within civil rights groups, like the NAACP, about the separatist implications of the Black pageant and how this division reflected ongoing racial tensions. The importance of Black beauty and its political symbolism is stressed as a counter-narrative to the white supremacist ideals embodied by Miss America.
Cultural and Political Lessons from the '68 Protest and Media Symbolism
The host reflects on the early symbolic power of the song 'There She Is, Your Ideal,' linked to the Miss America pageant, especially in the context of racial violence exemplified by Emmett Till's murder. The segment also covers how the pageant's image was intertwined with political figures and events, such as Ronald Reagan's praise of Vanessa Williams in 1983 and her subsequent scandal, illustrating the fragility of beauty-based power. The discussion highlights how cultural symbols like Miss America mirror broader societal and political struggles.
The Evolution of Miss America and Its Political Significance Today
The episode concludes with a look at the modern significance of the Miss America pageant, including Gretchen Carlson’s involvement and Vanessa Williams’s historic win. It suggests that the pageant still reflects American debates over gender, race, and power. The upcoming 2023 pageant near Mar-a-Lago symbolizes ongoing political associations with the beauty contest. The discussion emphasizes how beauty standards and pageants continue to be a site of cultural and political contestation.
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Show notes
Also, TV critic David Bianculli reviews HBO’s ‘Big Bang’ spin-off, ‘Stuart Fails to Save the Universe.’
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