Miss Universe Jamaica – She could be Black, Red, Pink, Yellow, White.. or Green With Envy

Let me state that I am NOT a Writer, just putting my view out there.

I am a Professional Photographer and have been a part of The Film, Broadcast & Pro Video Industry for over 30 years and the same criteria the Industry seeks in Models and Actors are some of the same as below.

So the usual story is that Jamaican Beauty Pageants Favour Light Skinned Beauties, yup EVERY single year we hear the same stale old story. No matter what the shade the girl’s skin is, onlookers complain about something, yes even when she is “Black”… (and yes remember Pool Side when oonu same one did a say “Whey da lilly Black one a enta fa!)

So mek we look at this.. as far as mi memory serves these are the “Black” past winners of the Miss Universe Jamaica Competition – 2011 Shakira Martin, 2007 Zahra Redwood, 2005 Raquel Wright, 99 Nicole Haughton, 97 Nadine Thomas, 96 Trudi Ferguson, 94 Angelie martin, 92 Bridgette Rhoden and April Jackson. The list probably goes on so help me and add them in the comments if there are more. Or is that these “Black”  not “Black” enough?

To all those who are complaining, I beg you to train your candidate and enter her !

If they don’t enter they have no chance but note the following..

Bring a candidate who can:

1. Properly articulate themselves, (Say what they mean and mean what they say, and know where/ how the “H”, “O” & “D” is pronounced)

2. Have a good grasp of current affairs, (Read the Gleaner & other Publications to know what is going on in Jamaica & the World.. yes them need to be literate)

3. Have positive personal convictions, (Actually have a point of view that they believe in not what you tell them to say)

4. Good skin tone, (That mean no mark up mark up skin like Donkey bite them or bad rug burns and ultra visible Cellulite)

5. A proportional body, (Means no Dolly Parton Titty or Nicki Minaj B*tty)

6. With height no less than 5′ 7″, ( There are mostly tall girls in these competitions)

7. Facial features that are proportionally balanced to each other, (No Big forehead with receding hairline, cross eye or Crab eye, Joker mouth, “chakka chakka teeth” or scary eyebrows)

8. Hair that is styled to balance their body and facial features, (We know everybody wearing pin in, glue in or weave in but my goodness buy good quality and have a real Pro do the installation and styling too because many do not know what looks best on them)

9. A good, sensible and clean social background, (Can’t have your IG showing you burning a Spliff, Cockup inna dance or have rumours circulating that you are with a Married man and frequent Orgies)

10. A strong feminine look, (Mi need fi explain this? You cyaa look like a man!)

11. A personality that people readily accept as genuine and likable, (People must without you trying too hard, just naturally like you. “Diva” attitude not necessary!)

12. Possess some version of the “X” factor, (This is  key, posses something we can’t put our finger on but it makes us all wish you were a sweet delicate pastry that we want to smell you up and nibble your crumbs as you are in our presence)

13. And with this package described above, judges choose a “best of” compromise, (because no one is perfect so plenty this and plenty that will make the best average) 

14. Must now be able to be compared favorably against candidates from all the other countries who will send their best.

15. She must be a Jamaican (That mean sey she have a Jamaican Citizenship Paper or Birth Paper as some of you call it, no matter where they now live)

Now think on the above carefully as you think about your friend, niece, daughter, sister, aunt, female wannabe and be truthful (Because we know you lie and tell them that them “Flawless” and  pretty etc but you really only  wanted a “piece” or want them to feel good about themselves). Now contemplate on the women you have favored and see how well they stack up against the last 3 winners of the Miss Universe Jamaica Contest.

BTW why do any of you want to change the people them Contest? When Mitsubishi has an Evolution Race would you want to enter a Lada? If them say is a Vegetarian Restaurant, why would you quarrel that you can’t get a Steak? Have you ever seen a donkey at Caymanas Track?.

If you want an Alek Wek (BTW I think she is a beautiful Model) “look” contest then start one cause mi sure that Cindy Crawford, Heidi Klum or Kate Moss type girls won’t be fighting to change the “look” that the Organisers want.

To the persons who say “She does not represent the majority of Jamaicans because she is too light skinned” I will bet that you failed Reading & Comprehension in school. To “represent” does not mean people need to look like you, it means they assume a role that will represent us taking part in a contest! Just like Athletes, Musicians, Doctors, Students, Professionals etc. Do you think they all look like they were born in Africa? Oops but then the people of different regions of Africa can look so different, yes different from you.

For all the young women who have entered or who might enter, take some of my advice above, watch the past years of the contest and compare notes on why that young lady won.

Do train your body and mind for at least one full year before, as the time between (IMHO) the recruiting and the contest is too short to adequately prepare. The worst case is that you will have a fabulous body and awesome smarts. To those who feel they need to compromise their integrity in order to win or do not like how this or any other contest is run, you have plenty of time to quit before going too far.

BTW there is no truth that winners are selected ahead of time, that is why there are several Judges and an Auditor at the show, Interviews and evaluations are done at various intervals and then it all adds up with the final presentations at the Coronation show.

But let me finish here because mi can go on and on. I just want to let you know that mi back broad and mi not worried, whether you peeved or disagree or not, but a suh it really go and it’s the same people who keep drawing the “Black Card” who are really undermining the true development of our people, politics, business and country – not anyone else.

A suh di ting set, we know seh Bad Mind is an awful thing and with all that was written above, my greatest hurt as a Jamaican born at the Port Antonio hospital is that we pretend to be proud to be Jamaican yet we spit at our National Motto “Out of many one People” !

Wha dem sey.. “One Love”? … sigh.

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