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Kappa Alpha Psi Chapter Draws Criticism Over Crowning Biracial Pageant Winner

By on May 8, 2017

Rachael Malonson, winner of Kappa Alpha Psi’s Miss Black University of Texas Scholarship Pageant, is being dragged on social media for “not being black enough.”

For 35 years, the Iota Delta chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi has hosted the Miss Black University pageant at University of Texas – the scholarship pageant is open to all black women, including biracial women. However, after being crowned winner – not only was the fraternity under fire for selecting a winner that does not look black, but Malonson was quickly questioned on her race and her blackness.

Malonson was surprised by the criticism, especially since her platform was to break down stereotypes and educate people about racial identity, as reported by Fox News.

“I didn’t realize that even after I received the title I would still have to explain myself, that there was still ignorant people out there who are asking me to prove myself,” she said to Fox, “Just because I have straight hair and olive skin tone doesn’t mean I’m not black…I don’t have to look a certain way to be black.”

In a statement, the historically black fraternity stated the sole purpose of the pageant is to uplift African American women who had limited scholarship opportunities on campus.

“The Iota Delta Chapter formed this civic pageant to provide a much needed additional scholarship source for deserving participants. In its 35-year existence, women from all across the color spectrum have won the scholarship pageant, and they each represented themselves and the university community with the utmost distinction.”

“Rachel is a perfect embodiment of the ideals and precepts of the Miss Black University of Texas Scholarship Pageant. This is best evidenced by the presentation of her pageant platform,” the chapter continued, “During her platform, Rachael introduced a program to help diversify journalism through mediums seldom explored by African Americans. While realizing the impressiveness of her initiative, the unfortunate reality is that her victory has been overshadowed by a constant barrage of negative commentary regarding her racial background.”

Malonson is taking the high road after receiving the backlash on social media. In a Twitter post, the senior at UT thanked those in the African American community who supported her:

Photo Credit: Iota Delta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi/Twitter

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