Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery - Miss Somali UK 2009

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then the organisers of Miss Somali UK 2009 have a lot to learn. In their efforts to promote Somaliness in a community that is struggling to integrate into mainstream UK society, they thought that a beauty pageant would best exhibit the qualities that Somalis in the UK possess.

The campaign to promote the event was well thought out and executed. Their interview on the YouTube site is in accessible if you click here for part one, here for part two and here for part three. They had a Facebook group set up and an official website, Miss Somali UK , that lists all those organisations that supported and sponsored the get-together. The blurb from the website reads as follows:

The Official Miss Somali UK was founded to promote a positive image of the Somali community by creating awareness of the social and cultural aspects of the country as well as the unique beauty of the Somali people. Bringing together a dynamic fusion of fashion, dance and music, The Official Miss Somali UK will celebrate the richness of this East African gem and capture the essence of the Somali culture and tradition throughout this event. The event will be attended by many guests not only from the Somali community but all over the world to support the event in promoting the Somali culture, traditional wear and celebrate talent within the community. We are expecting various performances to compliment the finale at the same time offering individuals and groups the platform of opportunity to showcase their work, acts and talents but an opportunity for the world to see the positive aspects of the Somali community. This event will be the focal point of Somali achievements and encouraging the Somali community to aspire and develop their strengths.

The scenario here is that members of the Somali community, in an effort to seek recognition from their peers, have taken elements of a culture [the objectification of women in this instance] to articulate their position in the absence of utilising their own cultural references. Its facile to suggest that a beauty pageant, no matter how progressive the format, can address the community's needs. It is lazy and flawed to suggest that using Anglo-Saxon cultural references best articulates the position of the members of the Somali community in the UK.

Why did this travesty occur? As suggested in previous posts, it appears that the Somali community is losing its cultural centre and this has resulted in a number of issues that have marked their failure to integrate into mainstream society. A Miss Somali UK competition should be as offensive to people as the Black and White Minstrel Show [18 million viewers watched this BBC programme] was in the1960s and 1970s when entertainers dressed up in black face and captivated the hearts of the viewing public. It is superficial and serves as nothing other than band aid that covers a gaping wound.

Complex problems require complex solutions. The idea that Somali women, parading around a stage for the pleasure of an audience, can help their community is laughable. If anything it is an insult to any sane person who has any inkling for what it means to be a Somali.