Miss USA says 'American' is her preferred label

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Miss USA says 'American' is her preferred label



http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/05/21/miss-usa-says-american-is-her-preferred-label/?hpt=C2

Rima Fakih's beauty pageant sash declares that she is Miss USA, but journalists want to find other labels for her.

Questions about Fakih's ethnic and religious identity have been nearly as frequent as questions about photos of her dancing against a stripper's pole.

"I'd like to say I'm American first, and I am an Arab-American," Fakih said. "I am Lebanese-American, and I am Muslim-American."

Fakih, 24, was born in Lebanon, but her family moved to New York when she was 7 years old. She later moved to Michigan, where she went to college.

The rarity of a woman born in the Middle East representing the United States in the Miss Universe pageant spurred internet buzz. One rumor was that Fakih had family connections to Hezbollah, a Lebanese Shiite group that the U.S. designates as a terrorist organization.

"Absolutely not," Fakih told CNN's Octavia Nasr. "That is a stereotype and a prejudiced statement made by only one reporter who had made that title before I was crowned Miss USA."

The blogger's accusation "was completely made up out of her own prejudiced mind," she said.

Contrary to some reports, she said, her family did not live in Southern Lebanon, the hub of Hezbollah.

"We lived in the mountain area of Lebanon, which is predominantly Christian-based," she said. "The majority of my family is diverse. It's Muslim and Christian."

Fakih said religion should not be a question for Miss USA winners.

"Religion does not identify me, I would like to say that," she said. "My family is more of a spiritual family rather than religious. We've never been religious, we've been never known to be religious, and on top of everything, we celebrate Christmas."

Fakih attended a Catholic high school in New York, she said.

"We are Muslim," she said. "However, we appreciate and admire all faiths."

The reaction to Fakih's selection was cause for celebration for many in Lebanon, a country she visited just a few months ago.

"I want them to know that the United States is not what they see on TV," she said. "It is still a country of freedom and opportunity."

Fakih said she has been invited to visit Lebanon and meet with leaders there, including President Michel Suleiman.

[Barack_America]

1. Good for her. That's how you represent America.

What a more positive message she has than Ms. "I support racial profiling" Oklahoma.

[Oregone]

2. No. This is how you represent America

That and wearing a one piece American flag swimsuit holding a can of Natty Lite.

[Warren DeMontague]

5. Works for me.

:shrug:

[notesdev]

7. She is certainly in tune with modern culture

aka mainstreamed pornography

Not like I got any big problem with pornography in general, but a little bit of decency and dignity shouldn't be too much to ask for.

[Lerkfish]

8. um... so carrie prejean is your gal?

:shrug:

[NBachers]

3. She's got my vote

[dkf]

4. How wonderful!

Good for her. We should remember the things that tie us together instead of the things that make us different.

[Scurrilous]

6. K & R

:thumbsup:

[madrchsod]

9. she`s far more intelligent than her detractors.

is`t this what being an american is all about?

[Amerigo Vespucci]

11. That was my reaction to the piece...

...but I decided to post it with comment, hoping that impression would come through without any additional words from me. Looks like it did. That's the real measure of a person who is destined for any kind of lasting success in the world...if they can stand in the middle of a sea of cheap shots directed their way and peacefully, gracefully assert who they are, without returning their own cheap shots, they are already a success. It's the old "if you respond to your enemies with kindness, you rob them of their ammunition" principle. That's exactly what she did. She showed herself to be nothing like the person her detractors claim her to be.

[Bitwit1234]

10. I think the chorus of those spewing hate are

just so darn jealous. she is a gorgeous woman and deserves the title. Can you imagine old Atlas Shrugged Debbie as a constestant...she would take the booby prize and she knows it, that's why she is spewing her hate.

Just because she bleached her hair blond and lets it straggle around her head doesn't mean she doesn't have the "blackest" of roots. I mean that mentality and literally.

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

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[MrScorpio]

13. What are YOUR views?

Curious minds want to know

[Name removed]

15. Deleted message

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[MrScorpio]

18. Would that be the first step to a true post racial society? nt

[Name removed]

19. Deleted message

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[blondeatlast]

23. Then describe the person who you witnessed robbing the Circle K without

those identifiers, m'kay?

[blondeatlast]

14. Those who earn it generally do value it more. When I look at what my

ex-husband went through to gain citizenship; and the pride he showed at the ceremony, I'm truly in awe.

Welcome back.

[alittlelark]

16. uh, yeah....

:eyes:

[blondeatlast]

17. Oh, it's up to thread starting--and it's a prize... nt

[Name removed]

22. Deleted message

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[Junkie Brewster]

20. What the fuck is wrong with you?

Seriously, what's your problem?

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

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[Junkie Brewster]

24. No, you're wrong for thinking place of birth has anything to do with

the validity of self-identity. And if you don't like my language, then feel free to ignore me.

[blondeatlast]

25. He can't hear you anymore (I'm guessing for about the 8th time this week).

It's been here before, many times (the username is a dead giveaway).

[Junkie Brewster]

26. Ah. Troll-tastic. Thanks. NT

[MrScorpio]

27. Yeah, I felt that whole troll vibe going with him