Zahra Redwood failed to win the Ms. Universe 2007 title on Monday night but she made Jamaica proud nevertheless. The contest was marred by political statements, boos and a major slip by Ms. USA during the evening gown segment where she slipped and fell on her bottom.

Even though Zahra did well, one cannot escape the unsettling whiff of racism which lurk deep in the commentaries of some journalists covering the event.

For instance, a story published on Yahoo.com said: In another quirk for 2007, the long, twisted dreadlocks of Miss Jamaica, the contest's first ever Rastafarian participant, and the close-shaved head of Miss Tanzania stood out from the lacquered manes of the other contestants.

Why use this language to single out contestants of African descent? It speaks to the continued brainwashing of people using the media to suggest that peoples of African descent are inferior to those who have Caucasian features. But it shows that history and the perception thereof belongs to the conquerors and those who have the bigger guns.

Still, there may be hope, after all, the raven-haired Miss Japan, Riyo Mori, was crowned Miss Universe 2007.

MISS.USA SLIP