Brooke Bruk-Jackson, a 21-year-old from Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, was crowned Miss Universe Zimbabwe, earning the opportunity to represent her nation at the upcoming Miss Universe pageant. However, the recent Miss Universe Zimbabwe competition, held for the first time in 22 years, generated controversy within the African nation.
The controversy centered around the perception that Brooke, who is white, might not accurately represent Zimbabwe’s diverse population. Her victory ignited heated debates on social media, with many critics suggesting that her win was influenced by racial bias. Some questioned why a European woman had been declared the winner in a competition intended to celebrate the beauty of Black contestants.
Comments on platforms such as Twitter and Instagram highlighted the discord, with one Twitter user expressing frustration, stating, “All those beautiful melanated women, and you’re telling me the European woman won a contest for Black people?” Another Instagram user wrote, “I’m not supporting this at all, and I’m not here to argue with anyone. Black people should learn to love and respect themselves instead of sending a white girl to represent Zimbabwe.”
Please be aware that Miss Universe Zimbabwe plays a crucial role as the preliminary contest to choose Zimbabwe’s delegate for the Miss Universe pageant. Contestants come from the country’s 10 provinces, including Zimbabwean nationals living abroad. Brooke’s win is particularly contentious due to Zimbabwe’s deeply rooted racial divisions stemming from its history of land reform and the subsequent departure of white residents. In a competition where she was the only white contestant among 25, Brooke Bruk-Jackson’s victory raised questions and sparked significant discussion.
