Arab-American Wins Miss USA Crown

Donald Trump’s Miss USA pageant represents yet another bizarre cultural spectacle involving the conflation of capitalism, sexism and nationalism topped with a sparkly tiara, but this time, the winner’s story is slightly less predictable: She’s a Muslim—and she’s an Arab-American! This is “progress” ... or not.  —KA

Detroit Free Press:

When asked how she felt about winning the crown, Fakih said, “Ask me after I’ve had a pizza.”

Fakih nearly fell while finishing her walk in her evening gown because of the length of its train, but she made it across the stage without a spill.

During the interview portion, Fakih was asked whether she thought birth control should be paid for by health insurance, and she said she thought it should because it’s costly.

“I believe that birth control is just like every other medication even though it’s a controlled substance,” Fakih said.

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AP Photo/Isaac Brekken

Miss Michigan Rima Fakih is crowned Miss USA 2010 on Sunday in Las Vegas.