Behind the Miss Hampton U controversy

by Glenn Burkins – October 14, 2009
The Watchdog Add comments

  • Font Size
  • Make Text Smaller
  • Make Text Larger

Several Qcity readers called or wrote asking about the Miss Hampton University controversy.

Mainly, they wanted to know the process for selecting the school’s queen.

I called Yuri Milligan, director of university relations, who offered this: The Miss Hampton University Scholarship Pageant is part of the Miss Virginia Pageant system. As such, the young woman named Miss Hampton U each year gets an automatic berth to the larger state pageant. Miss Hampton U is selected by four judges, based on a number of criteria. Two of the judges represent the school, and two represent the Miss Virginia Pageant system.

Milligan said she had no information about the race of any of the judges. She also confirmed that this year’s winner, 22-year-old senior nursing student Nikole Churchill, attends a Virginia Beach satellite campus.

If you have no clue what any of this is about, click here.

A curious aside: The Hampton University Players and Company will soon present “The Bluest Eye,” a play adopted from the Toni Morrison novel that explores the legacy of racism and follows the tragic life of Percola Breedlove, a young black girl looking for acceptance and the true meaning of beauty in rural Ohio during the 1940s.

Other Ways to Share

Discussions and Submission Agreement

Report Abusive/Inappropriate Comments

User Comments (3 Responses)
posted by
SKD

Oct 14, 2009 at 8:12 PM

So Miss Hampton is white? What's the big deal? If students of other races are permitted to enroll in the school and the contest, what's the problem? The "H" in HBCU stands for "Historically". Do we want them to be EBCU's? "Eternally" Black Colleges & Universities? If we don't allow 'others' to attend most of these small institutions will die financially. Let's be accepting to all.
posted by
Annette

Oct 15, 2009 at 2:53 PM

Obviously SKD does not know the whys of HBCUs or he/she would not ask her EBCU question. They say ignorance is bliss. And that individual is obviously living in bliss.
posted by
acw

Oct 15, 2009 at 4:35 PM

After speaking with my son, a Hampton student, I have come to the conclusion that the race of Miss Hampton was not that big a deal to the general student body. The fact that she had not been involved in campus activities or organizations was the reason that students--those who care one way or another--are concerned. I am afraid that the young lady has made a HUGE mistake by attempting to get the President involved in a college queen affair. HU students resent that their school has been cast in an undeserved negative light by someone who is supposed to represent them. By the way, "Mr. Pirate" is not black either. He is however active in numerous campus activities and organizations and PEOPLE KNOW HIM!!! That is the essential difference between the queen and him. The problem was less about the young woman's race than about her (lack of) previous involvement at the school.

Leave a Reply





On The Web

Happy birthday J. Dilla
A tribute to the late, great hip-hop producer responsible for some of the art form's greatest sounds.

Another insult for Michelle?
Republican Mike O'Neal reportedly forwarded an email making fun of the first lady's looks.

Qcity Jobs Search
Eg. Nurse

Los Angeles, CA



  
Charlotte Jobs by Category