The ugly side of Kurdish pageants

Although there are more important and crucial topics on the Kurdish agenda, I feel it is necessary to consider the social implications of a beauty pageant in Kurdistan. In July 2012 I learned that a Lebanese committee had crowned Shene Aziz Ako Miss Kurdistan in Arbil—good for her. First I thought it nice that Kurds can now assert their identity creatively, given that in the past such a competition was unthinkable in Kurdistan. Then I became concerned when I saw people on social networks applaud Kurdish beauty contests as "modern" and "progressive". How can an organization that reduces women to decorative, smiling automatized dolls reflect progress?

Beauty pageants are part of the most subtle and insidious manifestations of modern day patriarchy everywhere, in Arbil or New York City. They portray women's bodies as another product of consumerism and advertize them demeaningly. Although most beauty competitions purport to value the special talents and goals of contestants, judges ultimately prefer the women whose appearances reflect a western concept of beauty. In the context of an ultra patriarchal society—such as Kurdistan—beauty contests may seem like a sign of development, but they are not. Beauty pageants exploit women via modern, capitalist patriarchy. They violate women's dignity and are thus in conflict with women's rights.

We must challenge our understanding of modernity, and how we want to evaluate such paradigms. Not all western values are desirable and not all modern ideas indicate progress. Global capitalism is currently in crisis and people around the world are recognizing its flaws. The very term “western” is inadequate, given its geographic incoherence and dogmatic implications. We categorize Australia as western, even though it is in the eastern hemisphere. Similarly, one of the highest principles of western societies—secularism—has become inadequate, as politicians in the West use religion to accuse each other of wrongdoing. I support many values that originated in western cultures, but we need to stop imitating other countries and relinquish the ideology that sustains western paradigms.

When eastern cultures decide to follow the West as an occasional model, they ought to do it selectively and prioritize the values they wish to uphold. Western traditions are not flawless and perfect, but they do offer historical knowledge, rich in triumph and tribulations. When people adopt all western customs as guarantors of great development, they neglect the opportunity to advance their own histories and societies. Furthermore, they ignore domestic problems that are culturally unique and thus need alternative remedies. It is dangerous for ethnic groups to borrow foreign constructs and praise them as unconditionally positive ideals—this restricts regional evolution.

As mentioned earlier, a Lebanese board organized the Miss Kurdistan contest. I would not be surprised if the committee was comprised of men, as they are in most beauty contests. As Kurdish people, we may feel emotionally attached to Miss Kurdistan, but we need to understand that such symbol does not empower people. This is particularly so when Kurdish people have not organized the event and do not challenge its imperialistic implications. At this critical time of cultural development in Kurdistan, we must protect the region and its people from outside exploitation. One way to remain vigilant against opportunistic agents is by knowing that western capitalism and assimilation do not define modernity, but actually hinder certain aspects of progress.

Conclusively, beauty pageants are not a step toward modernity. They are western practices that reinforce patriarchy under the guise of liberalism. They are undesirable elements of foreign cultures, and hence poor models for women—and men. They represent the global backwardness that degrades women in the name of superficial appreciation. Kurdish society needs strong, independent women to set the example for the next generation, not destructive values imported from abroad.

Dilar Dirik prepared this text with assistance from e-feminist staff.