Miss Teen Oklahoma USA Hellen Smith recently clapped back at the Miss Teen USA pageant and its winner, Texas resident Karlie Hay, over offensive statements discovered on Hay’s Twitter account.
At least four tweets posted to Hay’s account in 2013 and 2014 repeatedly used the n-word.
Following a viral social media firestorm, Hay apologized on her Twitter account and to media in what Cosmopolitan.com called a “non-apology.”
Miss Teen USA officials allowed Hay, who is white, to keep her title. Miss Teen USA is part of the Miss Universe Organization. Smith, of Oklahoma City, who is black, pointedly spoke against the organization’s decision.
“Girls have had their titles taken away from them for much less,” she told Cosmo.
She cited Miss Florida’s recent title revocation for breaking pageant rules by using professional stylists, which Smith noted was far less offensive behavior.
Miss Teen USA issued a statement, saying in part, “The language Karlie Hay used is unacceptable at any age and in no way reflects the values of The Miss Universe Organization … We as an organization are committed to supporting her continued growth,” according to Associated Press.
For context, let’s look at one of the aforementioned n-word Tweets. One dated July 31, 2013, says, “Watching taken with out my nigger @maryguinn1 because she chooses @Willis_Trace over me. Feel special bitch.”
Yep. But don’t worry, because Hay has grown since then. She has changed! It’s not like she lied about doing her own makeup or something.
“Someone with a national title hasn’t had their title taken away for using racial slurs,” Smith also told Cosmo. “And she is a representation of Miss Universe because she’s Miss Teen USA.”
Print headline: Oklahoma strong
This article appears in Aug 10-16, 2016.