objectivity, anyone?

So tonight the new "Toddlers & Tiaras" airs. For those who don't know, T&T is a show on TLC that follows contestants (usually kids, but there are going to be some adults in the new ones, it seems) in pageant competitions. Of course, since I am one of the 0.0001% of people who supports children's pageantry (and all levels of pageantry, mostly, although I am not a big fan of swimsuit-only pageants), this is where I get to be pissed off. They had some of the kids on the talk shows this morning, and as usual when pageants are portrayed in the media, all objectivity is lost. Isn't that what journalism, and other related areas, are about? Not supporting either side, just trying to show the facts? Yeah, well, when it comes to pageants, that doesn't happen. Why? Well, I'm sure there are many reasons, but lately I've been thinking... it's "politically correct" to say pageants are disgusting and exploit children. If you give any indication that pageants are okay, or even give people the option of deciding for themselves, you might come across as sick or seriously messed up. Because people are brainwashed when it comes to pageants... and they're quite happy being brainwashed.

Whenever I bring up pageants, I expect to get the "JonBenet argument," and nine times out of ten, I do. (The tenth time, people make a weird face and go, "Uh..." and change the subject.) "But pageants are bad because JonBenet died and she was in pageants, so pageants killed her and the audience at pageants is full of pedophiles and the girls are being abused and, and, and..." Let's break this argument down piece by piece:

1) It has NEVER been proven that JonBenet's death had anything to do with pageants. JonBenet did not even compete in that many pageants.

2) The audience at pageants is NOT full of pedophiles. This, more than the whole "pageants killed JonBenet" bit, is what really gets me going. There is no better way to spot an ignorant person than when they make the "pageants are full of pedos" argument. It's very obvious that none of these people have ever been anywhere near a pageant. For the most part, pageant audiences are filled with moms, siblings, and grandmas... now, granted, a woman can be a pedophile, but you know most of the people insisting that pedophiles love pageants are imagining the creepy guy with binoculars in the back of the ballroom. A few more notes about the audience in pageants...
A) Almost always, you MUST have a door pass to get in, and you must wear it at all times. So no creeps are sneaking in and out; if they were, and didn't have a pass, they would be stopped IMMEDIATELY. Sure, pedos can buy a pass, but...
B)... at most pageants, the audience is never particularly full, as there is only one person at a time onstage (except for group lineup), and most other people are running around the hotel, getting everything ready for their turn onstage. Any outsider would be noticed immediately...
C)... because in the pageant world, almost everyone knows everyone. Not only that, but pageant people do love to gossip, and aren't afraid to speak up... so if there was a creep lurking around at pageants, everyone would know in about five seconds, and the pageant moms would boot him out the door and make sure he wasn't able to move for a month.
So, could there be a pedophile at pageants? Well, sure. Anyone could be anywhere. But is it likely? Furthermore, is it likely to the degree that most outsiders assume it is (an audience packed with pedophiles?) No.

3) I guarantee you that at least one child in pageants is being, or has been, abused. I also guarantee you that you can go to a school or mall or other crowded public place and find children there that have never been anywhere near a pageant, but are being abused. Pageants do not equal abuse. Or exploitation. Or any other big bad word that you care to throw around. If putting makeup on children was abuse, dance recitals and competitive cheerleading would be finished. Moms would be arrested for buying Lip Smackers for their third-graders. Oh, and that gets me thinking... hey, if pageants are really that bad? The police KNOW about pageants. The whole world knows about pageants. And yet, they still exist. Hmm...

So, if someone was willing to see things from another angle, my argument might actually make sense to them. But, as I've learned over the years, no one is willing to see things in any way other than their own. I can't tell you how many times I've told people these exact same things, and they either just stare at me for a few moments and then say, "You're sick/messed up/crazy," or start all over again, "But pageants are baaaaad/abuse/exploitation..." Like I said, people enjoy being brainwashed. It's certainly easier to go with what the media says about pageants than to come to your own conclusion.