PrintMay 30, 2007
Media excuses Miss USA booing
Miss USA, Rachel Smith, legally visiting Mexico City as a Miss Universe contestant, was greeted with boos and catcalls. Except when she slipped and fell. Cheers!
But according to one wire service she deserved the hostility because of the country she represented.
In the days leading up to the final selection, Miss USA Rachel Smith endured boos from the public because of her country's attitude toward Mexicans living there.
Oh, so they weren't rude after all; the US is. But relax because according to another news report
The treatment of the Tennessee beauty queen was nothing personal. It had more to do with Mexico's sometimes tense relationship with its powerful northern neighbor.
U.S. athletes have sparked a similar response. In 2005, when the U.S. played Mexico during a World Cup soccer qualifier, the crowd booed the U.S. national anthem and a smattering of fans chanted "Osama! Osama!" during the game.
So four years after 9/11 our southern neighbors are cheering for the man who caused the deaths of 3000 Americans. But yet, by the millions they still want to move here. Nothing personal.
During the interview segment of the pageant, as the Mexican audience raucously booed her, the ever gracious Miss Smith
smiled and spoke in Spanish. "Buenas noches Mexico. Muchas gracias!" which earned her some applause and some chuckles.
However, despite her polite guest attempt to learn the native language
Gringa! Female white person! But that's not anti white racism or bigotry. In Mexico, that's understandable. Sanctioned. But of course.Even an opening "hola" might not have helped Smith, who faced long odds for simply being a gringa.
