MISS AMERICA FLASHBACK - 1984

Miss America 1984, Suzette Charles of New Jersey, with actor Harry Belafonte. Students in Prof. Chandni's class on "MAO's Role in 20th Century Culture" will know that Suzette was first runner-up to Vanessa Williams and reigned for a few short months as Miss America when Vanessa was dethroned after nude pictures of her were published in Penthouse magazine. Also, students will know that the Miss World 1970 and 1993 pageants and the Miss America 1983 pageant (for Miss America 1984) share a similar fact - both the winner and first runner-up in those pageants were black. This has never happened at Miss USA and Miss Universe, and as Prof. Chandni will tell you, "If it ever happens at Miss Universe, there will be hell to pay in Latin America."