A University of Texas-Austin student is dealing with a lot of backlash and Twitter trolls after being crowned as the 2017 Miss Black University of Texas at an annual pageant.
Why? Because some think she isn’t “black enough.”
The pageant, in its 35th year, was hosted by the Iota Delta chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, took place Sunday on the UT campus. For nearly five hours, the eight contestants danced, sang, acted, shared personal experiences, pitched their platforms, answered questions and gracefully walked across the stage in heels and gowns.
Rachael Malonson, a biracial UT journalism senior, was crowned the winner.
Congratulations to our 2017 Miss Black University of Texas! We thank our lovely contestants, as well as everyone else who came to support!👌🏽 pic.twitter.com/yEva52wpSp
— Iota Delta NUPEs (@ID_NUPEs) May 2, 2017
Introducing your 2017 Miss Black University of Texas. Our Vice President @RachaelMalonson ❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/DtBfd2AW98
— UT NABJ (@UTNABJ) May 1, 2017
But several people on social media expressed disappointment in the fraternity for selecting a winner who they say does not represent the black community because she does not look black. Some Twitter trolls even outright asked what her race was and questioned her blackness, even after being told she was biracial.
@UTNABJ @RachaelMalonson She's black?
— DJ~🐐SaveTheGoats🐐 (@DJ2779) May 1, 2017
@nyleswashington @ID_NUPEs @RachaelMalonson @WhatUpDoeDoe @Emma_mattie @Davidallen_3 Let me ask a better question … is she black ?
— D'Antrese (@dantreselove) May 3, 2017
@nyleswashington @ID_NUPEs @RachaelMalonson @WhatUpDoeDoe @Emma_mattie @Davidallen_3 The real question is how she even get in the pageant
— Tae🌊🍍 (@_golden_tae) May 3, 2017
A few theorized that her light skin helped her win.
@ID_NUPEs @RachaelMalonson @WhatUpDoeDoe @Emma_mattie @nyleswashington @Davidallen_3 of course they choose the most light-skinned least looking black person there 🙄🙄
— Nana🌻 (@Adriann18588568) May 3, 2017
@nyleswashington @Adriann18588568 @ID_NUPEs @RachaelMalonson @WhatUpDoeDoe @Emma_mattie @Davidallen_3 Women who represented black culture to compete… didn't win. Who clearly have 2 BLACK parents and not just,from how it looks, 1 or 1 1/2
— [muh-hog-uh-nee] (@LikeTheW00D) May 3, 2017
@avuitton_ @afrolatinababe @ID_NUPEs @RachaelMalonson @WhatUpDoeDoe @Emma_mattie @nyleswashington @Davidallen_3 she's clearly the lightest, damn near white looking "black woman" & she won over the others. quit playing dumb guys. it looks sketchy
— chocolate drop 🍫✨ (@_ColeWorldShwty) May 3, 2017
@ID_NUPEs @RachaelMalonson @WhatUpDoeDoe @Emma_mattie @nyleswashington @Davidallen_3 they should pulled out the brown paper bag test😂🤷🏽♀️
— Jameeda Rucker (@_JRPR_) May 3, 2017
Malonson actually anticipated skeptical responses to her participation. “I wasn’t sure if I would even place in the pageant because I wasn’t sure they would think I was ‘black enough’,” she told USA TODAY College. She decided to enter anyway. “I chose to do the pageant to gain a deeper inner confidence before I graduate, while breaking stereotypes that black people or mixed-race people have to look a certain way,” she said.
After the fraternity posted photos of the pageant to Twitter, Malonson said, random people began to flood in with comments about her not being black enough — or not even being black at all.
“At first, it really caught me off guard because I didn’t think it would be that big of a deal,” she said. “Then I realized I could use this as an opportunity and platform to break down the stereotypes that black people have to look a certain way to be accepted.”
Through all of the backlash, fraternity members, pageant members and other UT students have been defending Malonson.
She breaking these stereotypes like she wanted too. Keep it up sis 💕💕 https://t.co/F6Gm9utoTx
— T. (@tierramonaeee) May 3, 2017
This is 3 generations of the Miss Black UT Pageant. ALL different shades, ALL black, and ALL beautiful.👑 ignorance is an amazing thing. pic.twitter.com/oiru7PKFHw
— Britt💙 (@msbrittneyfaye) May 3, 2017
@ID_NUPEs @RachaelMalonson @WhatUpDoeDoe @Emma_mattie @nyleswashington @Davidallen_3 People are beyond ignorant for all these comments trying to say this woman couldn't be black smh even if you're half black your still BLACK.
— mani. (@ManniiDee_) May 3, 2017
Most hardworking, dedicated girl I know. Go Racheal. 👏🏼🔥 https://t.co/l2lF52VRYL
— Shelby (@Shelbyyylain) May 3, 2017
As someone who was a contestant in this pageant and got to know Rachael these last 3 months there's no one more deserving. Soooo cut the BS https://t.co/2YNSib1ml4
— Mawardi (@mawi_lovee) May 3, 2017
@RachaelMalonson aye CONGRATULATIONS on winning Miss Black UT. Ignore these ignorant people who have nothing better to do. You deserved it!
— Levi Ackerman (@KDtwin96) May 3, 2017
It's funny because her intro was addressing ignorant comments like these, so proud of my beautiful BLACK pageant sis💕💕💕 https://t.co/IrjbohXwb5
— chloë (@champagnechlo3) May 3, 2017
“I’m so humbled by all of the support I’ve received from the black community at UT,” Malonson said. “Their opinion matters to me most because they are the ones who truly know me and know that I am a black woman who works to support the black community.”
Wow. It's really beautiful to see how the black community at UT will come together and stand up for their brothers and sisters❤️
— Rachael Malonson (@RachaelMalonson) May 2, 2017
A time that was supposed to make me feel worthless turned into a beautiful reminder that I have true brothers and sisters at UT❤️
— Rachael Malonson (@RachaelMalonson) May 2, 2017
As I approached my final semester of college, I decided to take on an opportunity out of my comfort zone by participating in a pageant. It was an exceptional journey with a lot of hard work, laughter, tears, and a lack of sleep LOL. Throughout the process I gained perseverance, a greater understanding of who I am as a person, and received constant support from others even when I didn't believe in myself. I challenged myself by vulnerably expressing obstacles I face as a biracial woman and was not going to leave the stage without letting others know that my blessings and strength are in Christ alone. The journey may have come to an end but the deeper self confidence I have gained, the hilarious and sincere priceless memories I have experienced , and the new family I didn't know I was incomplete without will live on❤️ I am humbly honored to be your 2017 Miss Black University of Texas and I'm ready to give a voice to the voiceless 🖤
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