Where women transform the world

Miss Landmine

So first, a disclaimer: the images that will appear if you click on the link at the end of this post might be alarming to some, so please be prepared if you choose to venture onto the site.

So a few months ago, a friend sent me the link to a beauty pageant/competition called Miss Landmine Angola 2008 which features victims of landmine explosions. When I first started to view the pictures, I couldn't wrap my head around it all. It was both shocking, disarming and beautiful. I was also overwhelmed with questions: is this an effort to raise awareness? are these women being exploited or are they being uplifted and revered? is this revolutionary in redefining perceptions of beauty?

I'm really curious to see what you ladies think. Below is the link the site and following is a link to an interview with the creator of the pageant.

Speak on it!

http://miss-landmine.org/misslandmine_project.html

http://www.orato.com/current-events/2007/11/28/redefining-beauty-cr...

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Permalink Reply by Jan Tchamani on July 5, 2009 at 5:04pm

Hi

I don't know what to think either, though sometimes I think, even if someone means something for ill, life can still turn it to good. But your topic reminds me of something. I went to sit in the sauna at the gym recently and there were 4 young women already in there, in their bikinis and very skinny. I went in in my one-piece, with my usual bulges, and literally stopped the conversation. One of them looked at me as if she was really disgusted (though I have a 'normal' body). If women can't accept each other and see the beauty in each other, what hope do we have?

The website should at least challenge people's perceptions.
All the best
Jan Tchamani