Beauty Pageants and Homecoming.

Article: “No Honey Boo Boos in France: Parliament moves to ban kiddie pageants”

Author: Priscilla Lalisse-Jespersen

Published: September 21, 2013

            In the article “No Honey Boo Boos in France: Parliament moves to ban kiddie pageants”  written by Priscilla Lalisse-Jespersen, she talks about how the French Parliament has moved to ban beauty pageants for children under the age of sixteen. She then goes on to talk about how the French are not known for not being “prude”, but sexualizing children goes too far.  Girls should be taught that what matters most is on the inside and their brains.  Instead children are being taught that all that matters is your beauty and winning a contest to succeed at that goal.  Priscilla Lalisse-Jespersen then talks about a twelve year old named Margos Gianos who is already an entrepreneur that has her own line of lip balm.  She then ends her article by saying “Beauty pageants, who needs them? I say, toss the tiaras, we need more Margos.”

            I would have to agree with the French Parliament moving to end this kind of sexualization when it comes to children.  Beauty pageants are not something children should be concerned with.  They should be out playing and exploring the world.  They do not need to worry about whether or not they are pretty enough to win a contest. I mean what happens to their self-esteem when they lose that contest? Could it result it negative effects for years to come, possibly, maybe?

Article: “Transgender Teen Crowned Homecoming Queen Wipes Away Tears: 'I Can't Even Be Happy”

Author: Alexis Shaw

Published: September 22, 2013

            In the article “Transgender Teen Crowned Homecoming Queen Wipes Away Tears: 'I Can't Even Be Happy” written by Alexis Shaw she gives an overview on a video posted to YouTube by Cassidy Lynn Campbell.  The sixteen year old teen lets out her frustrations through this viral video.   She is the first transgender teen to be crowned homecoming queen in Huntington Beach, CA.  Alexis Shaw talks about how the teen received negative reviews on her becoming the queen.  This was supposed to be an exciting and memorable night for Cassidy Lynn Campbell but she could not enjoy it due to the backlash she was receiving.  She talks about how she was being criticized for who she was.

            I wish I could say that this type of thing happens rarely, but I cannot do so.  I can only imagine how Cassidy Lynn Campbell feels.  It is ridiculous that that she is receiving so much negative energy.  She is who she is and that is something that will never change.  She is the first transgender teenager to win homecoming queen in Huntington Beach, CA and I say props to that.  Though it was a bad experience that should have been great, she not only did this for herself but she did it for others across the country to set an example.  That will go far.