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[Opinion] Miss Tibet

Posted October. 15, 2002 23:19,   

한국어

Why those women recognized as the most beautiful by our standards fail on the international level all the times? The chairman of Nigerian beauty pageant organizer in 2000 asked judges to choose a woman who meets international not regional standards. The new strategy worked out. The following year, Miss Nigeria became the first Miss World from African continent in 51 years of the pageant history. Then a new problem broke out. Many of young women in the country, obviously envious of the “thin” beauty contest winner, went on a diet. Before it had Miss World, the country used to see slim figure of women as a sign of AIDS infection.

▷ Tibetan exiles living in India chose their first beauty delegate. She represents the traditional Tibetan standards of beauty – she doesn’t have a high nose or an oval face. The first beauty pageant winner is instead outgoing and even daring. Most women in the conservative Tibetan society wear ankle-length skirts and long-sleeved blouses, and do not even think about wearing swimsuits in the freezingly cold region. Yet, Dolam Tsering went through a swimsuit round and wore a skimpy tank top in the fashion round. “I hope the contest will eventually help struggling young Tibetans, especially women,” she expressed her view as a globalized and enlightened young woman.

▷ Criticism against what opponents say commercialization of beauty of women was running high this time, too. Tibetan traditionalists said the pageant violated their traditional and cultural heritage. The head of the Tibetan government also pointed to the influence of materialism as others argued it trivialized Tibet’s struggle for independence and freedom. Humans, however, are made to pursue beauty of the body despite the risk of commercialism. “This pageant will provide a unifying platform, a sense of bonding and identity," refuted organizers as they pushed for the contest. As the foreign media covers this event, indeed, we now think about the reality facing Tibet. Miss Tibet may as well be called a beautiful freedom fighter, then.

▷ It remains to be seen whether the first Miss Tibet will make a successful international debut. We hope, however, that the country will not change the standards of their traditional beauty just because its delegate fails to catch the spotlight. It will be sad if Tibetans, who believe happiness does not lie in the worldly possessions and happy life is not from materials, also follows western standards of beauty that has spread every corner of the world.

Kim Soon-duk, Editorial Writer yuri@donga.com