It’s How You Play the Cards

What a repulsive yet revealing philosophy is disclosed by Marilyn Jensen in Lesley Wright’s “A Higher Calling” (Sept. 13). So Jensen doesn’t want a Miss California entry “who had an abusive childhood and has scars.” With myopic Neanderthals like Jensen straining to keep the real world at bay no wonder “they don’t tend to apply.”

“We want someone to represent California the way you want it to be,” Jensen is quoted. And just how do I and perhaps many, if not a majority of, Californians want to be represented? A lot of us might be inspired by a successful Miss California entry who has had to overcome reality at an early age, perhaps having to face the stresses of a broken home, low income, all the problems we would like to wish away and cannot. Of course one obvious reason they will never “tend to apply,” even in a more enlightened contest atmosphere, is because “they” are too busy dealing with the problems of everyday life.

Perhaps the most disgusting aspect of Jensen’s philosophy is the implicit notion that girls from this idealized, perfect background are inherently superior to girls from less fortunate circumstances. The real test of character, faith and spirituality is how it equips an individual to deal with the world as it is not just how it should be. This is a test most of these contest-oriented young ladies have yet to face.

TONY BARNARD

San Pedro