My Pick for Miss USA 2009: Carrie Prejean

The Miss USA pageant show isn't usually politically relevant. That changed in a pretty significant manner last night. Miss California 2009, Carrie Prejean, was quizzed about gay marriage by one of Miss USA's judges. Her subsequent comments are as follows (keep in mind that she was answering a question presented to her - not interjecting her radical beliefs into the competition):

"We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite. And you know what, I think in my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that's how I was raised."

This was a classy response to a socially relevant query. Ms. Prejean, understanding that she was on a national stage where others around her might have differing opinions, addressed her convictions while remaining tolerant of the opposing side. On the other hand, the backlash to Ms. Prejean's comments was anything but classy. Take the comments of the Miss California USA co-director, Keith Lewis, after the Miss USA proceedings had come to a close (statement procured by Fox News):

"As co-director of the Miss California USA, I am personally saddened and hurt that Miss California believes marriage rights belong only to a man and a woman. I believe all religions should be able to ordain what unions they see fit. I do not believe our government should be able to discriminate against anyone and religious beliefs have no politics in the Miss California family."

Sure - turn it back on the contestant for sharing her convictions when she was asked for her opinion on a certain matter; turn this into an emotional episode (key words: saddened, hurt); turn the Miss California/USA competition into a dictatorship. That's what the contest, America is all about, right?

First, Miss California is not the only individual in the United States who believes that marriage rights belong only to a man and a woman as inferred by Mr. Lewis. Thirty states in our union have resolved that the definition of marriage encompasses only the union of a man and a woman. Miss California did not influence the decision making of voters, manipulate the process, recruit support for her cause, or draft the amendments in this in any of those states.

Nor did Carrie Prejean condemn the practice of gay marriage. She humbly gave her opinion of how she wanted to view the social make-up of her country and family. Her statements have no arrogant feeling to them; the statements simply drip with her conviction - nothing else.

Why am I addressing this on a political blog? Because I admire those who stand up for what they believe - no matter where they are, or what the situation or implied protocol calls for. I admire Ms. Prejean because she stood up for her convictions in the midst of a national stage. The country is split either way on this issue. Depending on what state a person enters, public opinion would be very much so divided on gay marriage.

That's what makes this courageous stand admirable. Ms. Prejean could have chosen to give an answer which would have satisfied the real radicals of this country - an answer which would have bucked her beliefs and the examples she was raised with. Nothing would have been said about the question and answer period. In fact, Ms. Prejean might have even captured the Miss USA title (she finished runner-up) if not for this controversial reply.

However, that wasn't in Carrie Prejean's character make-up. She did what many in this country will not do anymore - that is stand up for what is right and good. Although it might not be worth as much to others, Carrie Prejean proved herself more worthy than anyone else on that Miss USA stage to become a role model of young people. She is my pick for Miss USA 2009.