Say What?

The bright spot, it seems to me, is that people who you never would have expected are finding their voice. Majority, minority: it doesn't matter. There will be no more silence.
“I think that the white supremacist issue, it was very obvious, that it was a terrorist attack. And I think that President Donald Trump should’ve made a statement earlier addressing the fact, and in making sure all Americans feel safe in this country. That is the number one issue right now.” These were not the words of a politician. These were the words of Miss Texas 2017.
Margana Wood did not go on to win the title of Miss America, but she won over a group of skeptics (myself included) when she chose to stand up and deliver a fifteen second response to white supremacists that our "President" never approached. If she had crept up to the question and suggested that there were "many sides" to this issue, it would not have seemed out of character or place. Beauty pageants and direct speech about the world's problems are not immediately associated. World peace and famine have been trotted out to display the limitations of Miss America as a forum. 
It would be rude and sexist of me to suggest that pageant contestants are not capable of speaking their minds and hearts. It would not be a surprise to read here and now that pageant contestants are suddenly much more ready and capable to discuss issues that matter than our "President." Ms. Wood's platform was one of inclusion: You Belong. In an interview with Out Smart, a Houston-based magazine for the LGBTQ community, she said, “It’s important for everyone to hear the phrase because they do ― everybody belongs.” 
And suddenly, I wished that I could vote for her not just for Miss America, but for Miss Belong. I wished that I could hear some of these inspiring words from someone in elected office. Who knows? Maybe in a few years we'll have that chance.