Our Ancestors Could Be Rolling In Their Graves Right Now: White Woman Brooke Bruk-Jackson Crowned 2023 Miss Universe Zimbabwe Over ‘Africaned’ Candidates [video]
Our Ancestors Could Be Rolling In Their Graves Right Now: White Woman Brooke Bruk-Jackson Crowned 2023 Miss Universe Zimbabwe Over ‘Africaned' Candidates
Our Ancestors Could Be Rolling In Their Graves Right Now: White Woman Brooke Bruk-Jackson Crowned 2023 Miss Universe Zimbabwe Over ‘Africaned' Candidates
The recent crowning of Brooke Bruk-Jackson, a white Zimbabwean woman, as Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2023 has sparked heated debate and mixed reactions online. Many are questioning how a white woman was able to win the pageant in a predominantly black African country like Zimbabwe.
The 21-year old model was crowned as the winner of the revived national beauty pageant on September 16th, 2023 in Harare. She will go on to represent Zimbabwe at the Miss Universe competition. However, her victory has been met with outrage by some who feel an African woman should have been crowned instead.
Brooke was born in Zimbabwe to a Zimbabwean mother and a British father. She has lived in the country her whole life and considers herself Zimbabwean. However, her lighter skin tone and European features have led many to question if she is truly representative of the average Zimbabwean woman.
On social media, some have accused the pageant of upholding Eurocentric beauty standards by crowning a biracial woman over black contestants. They argue that the judges preferred Brooke's lighter skin and straighter hair over the other natural-haired and darker-skinned competitors. Her win reeks of colorism and bias, according to critics.
Others brought up the racial history of Zimbabwe, formerly known as Rhodesia under British colonial rule. They highlighted how Zimbabwe fought so hard against white minority rule during the 1970s guerilla Bush War. Now in 2023, a white woman is suddenly representing Zimbabwe on the global stage at Miss Universe. For supporters of black empowerment, this feels regressive.
However, there are also those who have come to Brooke's defense. They argue she is just as Zimbabwean as any other citizen. Brooke was born there and has only ever identified as Zimbabwean her whole life. She deserves to represent her country regardless of skin color.
Some of her defenders have pushed back against the criticisms, saying the attacks against her are also racist. Judging someone solely on their complexion rather than merit is wrong, they claim. The Miss Universe Zimbabwe organization also released a statement supporting their winner as a true representative of Zimbabwean beauty and diversity.
Nonetheless, the controversy has exposed the deep racial tensions that continue to divide Zimbabwean society today. The African nation still grapples with reconciling the inequalities of the past with the desire for an inclusive future.
For decades, Zimbabwe has been led by black presidents and politicians since overthrowing white rule. Yet society remains unequal with whites still dominating business and the economy. Brooke's victory seems to highlight this lingering racial hierarchy where whiteness is still prized by some over blackness, consciously or not.
Zimbabwe's racial demographics make Brooke's win even more contentious. Only around 1% of Zimbabwe's population is white, while over 99% are black African or mixed race. For a white minority woman to beat out predominantly black competitors feels like an injustice for many Zimbabweans. The intersection of race and beauty is complex.
Critics also feel that as a biracial woman with light skin and European features, Brooke matches more conventional beauty norms outside of Africa. These Eurocentric standards uphold lighter skin as more attractive. Many think Brooke's win reinforces this global colorism.
At the same time, others feel there is a double standard where a mixed race black woman winning a pageant in a Western country would be praised as diversity. But when the tables are turned, Brooke's victory in an African country is questioned. There are nuances on both sides of the debate.
Brooke's supporters also point out she is an advocate for racial justice, gender rights and ending poaching. She has positive qualities beyond just beauty and should not just be reduced to her outward appearance. As Miss Universe Zimbabwe, she has an opportunity to highlight important issues on the global stage.
Nonetheless, her win raises serious questions about the need for equal racial representation. Especially as Zimbabwe tries to overcome a history of white minority rule and colonization. For true reconciliation, societal inequalities must be addressed by all Zimbabwean institutions, including pageants like Miss Universe.
Going forward, Zimbabwe must have open and honest discussions about race, colorism and who truly represents the nation. Brooke's victory may have sparked controversy, but it also presents an opportunity for progress if leveraged properly. All Zimbabwean women, whether black or white, deserve to feel represented by whoever becomes Miss Universe Zimbabwe.
Racial inclusion and diversity is a complex process, full of setbacks as well as breakthroughs. While Brooke's win has exposed lingering racial tensions in Zimbabwean society, let us also see it as a chance for growth and unity. Zimbabweans must continue the difficult work of building a fair, just and equitable society where all citizens are valued – skin color regardless. Our shared humanity matters most.
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