The newly-crowned Miss USA is being slammed on social media for her comments on feminism and healthcare, which many appear to find too conservative for their taste.
Kara McCullough, 25, was asked about both topics as part of Sunday night’s pageant, during which she bested 50 contestants for the title in Las Vegas.
Viewers first seemed to rejoice when Miss District of Columbia, who works as a scientist at the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, became a part of the contest, bringing more visibility to women in STEM.
However, many became disillusioned when she answered questions about feminism and healthcare.
The contestants were asked: ‘What do you consider feminist to be and do you consider yourself a feminist?’
‘So as a woman scientist in the government, I’d like to transpose the word feminism to equalism,’ McCullough said. ‘I try not to consider myself this diehard, like, “I don’t really care about men”.’
The South Carolina State University chemistry grad then elaborated, saying women are ‘just as equal as men when it comes to opportunity in the workplace’ and sharing her own experiences witnessing ‘firsthand’ the impact women can have on leadership.
Believing that women are equal to men, of course, is the definition of feminism. Unsurprisingly, many viewers took issue with Kara’s redefining of the word.
‘The gal who just won Miss USA said she doesn’t believe in feminism!!! On live TV!!! This is why ppl think pageants are out of touch!!!!!!!!!’ one of them tweeted.
Questioning: Several people said they were happy to see a female scientist among contestants but explained that her stance on feminism and healthcare doesn’t resonate with them
Comments: One viewer, who shared one of many messages in reaction to the 25-year-old’s statements, said this is why people believe pageants are now out of touch
‘I was happy that they crowned another black woman Miss USA… until I heard her thoughts on feminism and healthcare,’ another person wrote.
Other viewers pointed out that Miss New Jersey’s answer to the same question had resonated with them a lot more.
‘Feminism is striving for equality and I do consider myself a feminist,’ first runner-up Chhavi Verg said before speaking out against the ‘misconception’ that feminism is about ‘women being better than men’.
‘It’s really not,’ she added. ‘It’s a fight for equality.’
McCullough also attracted criticism for her answer to a question about healthcare and its place in society.
‘Do you think affordable healthcare for all US citizens is a right or a privilege and why?’ the five finalists were asked.
‘I’m definitely going to say it’s a privilege,’ McCullough said.
‘As a government employee, I’m granted healthcare. And I see firsthand that for one, to have healthcare, you need to have jobs, so therefore we need to continue to cultivate this environment that we’re given the opportunities to have healt care as well as jobs for all American citizens worldwide.’
One viewer tweeted in response: ‘Miss DC just lost me with that answer….Affordable healthcare is a privilege? Girl bye.’
Another person reacted to McCullough’s statement with this tweet: ‘No thanks return to sender.’
Some viewers praised the new Miss USA for bringing more diversity to the pageant, while still wishing she had aired different views during the broadcast.
‘Huge fan of #MissUSA being a black woman and a scientist and advocate for science education, but dang she could use a class on social issues,’ one woman wrote.
McCullough, meanwhile, said she was ‘extremely thankful’ for her win and had told judges that she was committed to advocating for women in science, technology, and math.
