In October, we will have a women’s pageant, followed the very next day by a film protest against women’s pageants. On the pro-side is the idea that women, particularly Asian American women, could use a vehicle for publicity and community. Many former pageant winners, including the first Miss Asian America Mona Lee Locke, have gone on to have amazing careers. The pro-side of pageants encourages Asian Americans to take control of their images.

On the anti-side, critics charge that pageants are a relic of the past and that they put too much focus on a woman’s looks. According to detractors, we need to move beyond pageantry, and we need to take steps that move us away from the image of what pageants used to be.  The anti-side of pageants strongly advocates in favor of tossing off the baggage created by earlier waves of pageantry.

We encourage people to check out both events.  Here is the info:

Saturday, 10/10/09, 12 noon: Miss Asian Oregon at Marco Polo Global in Salem. Click here for tickets and info. Come to see how Miss Asian Oregon is “Redefining Beauty in Asian America.”  This is THE inaugural event, so buy your tickets now.  Remember, you can’t say you were there if you weren’t. 

Sunday, 10/11/09, 2 pm: Screening of Curtis Choy’s Making Up (3min) and Year of The Ox: The 1973 Chinatown Livestock Show (17min) at the Asian Family Center, 4424 NE Glisan. A discussion about pageants will follow.  Hear both sides of the issue, along with a debriefing of the Miss Asian Oregon pageant.  This is your opportunity to watch, absorb, and make your voice heard! 

Please e-mail us with any questions!