Pretty Old "世界小姐"選美大賽60年
Pretty Old "世界小姐"選美大賽60年
英語學習點: Feminist and Feminine 女權主義者和女性化
For some it is a celebration of femininity and beauty.
But feminist campaigners say that it is nothing other than the degradation of women, who are paraded like animals in a cattle market.
The Miss World beauty pageant is now 60 but remains controversial, as last weekend's show in London proved.
Inside the venue, about 110 contestants showed off their figures and boasted about their talents. Outside, dozens of feminist campaigners held placards with messages such as "Sexism is pretty ugly" and shouted slogans against chauvinism and what they call the objectification of women.
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Feminists and beauty pageant organisers are old enemies. The show was created in the 1950s to promote the Festival of Britain. By the 70s, Women's Lib demonstrators tried to disrupt the proceedings, alleging that the whole thing was an offence against women's equality.
But some contestants argue that it can actually empower women. Laura Coleman, Miss England 2008, said it "gives girls confidence and opportunities they may not otherwise have."
For some, these opportunities are in Hollywood. About 12 beauty queens landed roles in James Bond movies and the Oscar-winning star Halle Berry finished sixth in 1986. Organisers are keen to point out that the contestants are not airheads but often have degrees and speak several languages.
This year's winner is 21-year-old Venezuelan Ivian Sarcos, who in her childhood thought about becoming a nun. Despite the protests the show is likely to continue, with plans to hold next year's Miss World in China.
Glossary 詞匯表 (收聽發音, 請單擊英語單詞)
- femininity 女性化,女人氣質
- feminist campaigner 女權運動人士
- degradation 降低,貶低
- to be paraded 列隊展示
- cattle market 牲畜市場
- beauty pageant 選美活動
- to show off (something) 炫耀
- figure 體形
- to boast about (something) 自吹自擂
- placard 標語牌
- sexism 性別歧視
- slogan 口號
- chauvinism 大男子主義
- objectification of women 把婦女當物品展示
- Women's Lib 婦女解放
- to disrupt something 干擾某事
- women's equality 婦女平等
- empower 讓人有能力去做什么
- beauty queen 選美大賽皇后
- airhead 傻瓜,沒頭腦的人