Buzz-O-Sphere

  • Miss Americas that were Black: Debbye, Vanessa

    By BWP Staff Writers on March 26, 2010

    Back in the pre-1984 days you would be hard pressed to find a Black woman winning the Miss America or Miss USA crown, indeed, the Miss America contest was a barren wasteland void of color. Sure there were plenty of young ladies that were capable of winning the crown, but America wasn't ready for that yet.

    Then comes 1984 and Miss Vanessa L. Williams wins the crown. It is a joyous occasion for the Black community, but all that was to end when it was discovered that at 17 years of age Vanessa had taken nude pictures (by herself and with another woman) as part of her portfolio. She was soon uncrowned and a second Black Miss America, a Miss Suzette Charles was crowned. Many believe that Suzette should have refused to take the crown from Vanessa since the crown had been tarnished for 1984, but she took it anyway and wore it admirably.

    But since 1984 there have been 7 Miss America's that have been Black, and all of them represent the myriad of Black women that come from our community. All of the women have had a myriad level of success, with Vanessa achieving the most in the field of entertainment and Debbye Turner getting her MD in veterinarian medicine and as a news anchor in St. Louis, MO. (We may have to delve into the feats of each woman one of these days)

    But the bottom line is that America accepts that Black women of all hues are considered some of the most beautiful women period. Thus is it time that Blacks as a people accept we are beautiful no matter what color you are? Isn't it time to get rid of the crazy color games played in our community? What do you think? (buzz)

    Caressa Cameron

    2010 Miss America

    Majorie Vincent

    Miss America 199x (we need more pictures)

    Kimberly Aiken

    Miss America 1994

    Debbye Turner

    Miss America 1990

    Erika Dunlap

    Miss America 2004

    Vanessa Williams

    Miss America 1984

    Suzette Charles

    Miss America 1984

    forum | gallery | extra link

Forum Responses: 10 out of6shown

  • cleodine replied on 2010-03-28 14:29:00.0
    BWPStaff, very interesting that you can discuss the COLOROLOGY aspects of the Miss America pageants, but you can't reply to a member's thread about something distasteful you did. Very interesting indeed. Btw, when are you going to address this: [url=http://www.blackwebportal.com/nuforums/vm.cfm?Forum=3&Topic=5589]BWP: The Relaunch![/url] Thank you.

  • BWPStaff replied on 2010-03-28 14:47:00.0
    Sorry, but the particular avatar you dealt with has moved along. All of our threads are now fed from our Buzz Zone and Wire program. We do thank you for patronizing the BWP. Yes, we're starting somethin'

  • nappyred replied on 2010-03-28 15:02:00.0
    BWPStaff, very interesting that you can discuss the [b]COLOROLOGY[/b] aspects of the Miss America pageants, Kudos on the wordsmithing. LOL :) 'in all thy getting...get an understanding'

  • RoyRogers replied on 2010-03-28 19:35:00.0
    Great Miss America galleries! Thx. Education is a tool. Use it.

  • BWPStaff replied on 2010-03-29 11:05:00.0
    Also, do any of you think that the 1984 runner-up, Suzette Charles, got short changed due to her very short reign? Do you think that she harbors bad feelings against Vanessa? Not much has been heard about Suzette and it was very tough for our webmaster to find pictures online with Suzette or Marjorie Vincent. Yes, we're starting somethin'

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