Pageant (noun): A show or exhibition, especially one consisting of succession of participants of events.

A competition where only one woman who fits a narrow standard of complete bullshit can win.

Pageantry breeds female insecurity and submission. They are absurd and have no place in this century, let alone at Sacramento State.

This semester a number of fraternities have tried to reinvent the ‘pageant’ by showcasing the woman of CSUS’s inner beauty and well roundedness.

While the pageant may have the best of intentions, it’s still perpetuating the same ideals.These fraternities believe that the standards of inner beauty and intellect should be gauged by how a women looks.

However, taking a group of young woman and coaching them on how to be well rounded and exude inner beauty is a ridiculous. Inner beauty isn’t tangible and cannot be evaluated or displayed. That’s why its so highly desired.

College is supposed to be a progressive place where students are evaluated on what they can create- their authenticity. A place that teaches students to open their horizons and not give in to the stereotypes and gender roles of past generations.

Pageants are the exact opposite of those standards. They set a standard of beauty, and tell woman they should spend countless hours trying to fit an impossible standard; but in the end most competitors won’t even be runner up.

I’m all for empowering woman and having a space that invites friendly competition, but pageants aren’t friendly they pit woman against each other and pick away at their self-esteem. It’s a destructive system that strengthens patriarchy.

This is a tradition Sacramento State should let go. Pageants are set on a win or your worthless model that is tied to polished responses and artificial talent. They have no place on campus.

Beauty is transformative and organic– not a contest.