Sabah Aib Faces Racism After Being Crowned Miss Nord-Pas-de-Calais 2024
Sabah Aib, the newly crowned Miss Nord-Pas-de-Calais 2024, has become a target of a disturbing wave of racist hatred following her election. The 18-year-old law student, who was crowned on October 21 in Liévin, took to Instagram to express her dismay, stating that the hateful comments stem from "ignorance and jealousy" regarding her heritage. Aib, who is of Algerian and Moroccan descent, emphasized her identity as a French citizen, asserting that her name does not dictate her nationality. "France is a multicultural country, and having a name that comes from elsewhere does not change the fact that I am French," she stated.
A Call for Acceptance and Diversity
The regional delegate for Miss France, Anne-Sophie Sevrette, expressed hope that Aib could become the first Miss France with Maghreb origins, which would send a powerful message about acceptance and diversity in French society. Sevrette acknowledged the unfortunate reality of racism that still exists, stating, "Unfortunately, there are still a lot of racist people." Aib's election is seen as a testament to the rich diversity of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region, and she aims to use her platform to combat harassment and promote equality.
A History of Hate in Pageantry
Aib is not alone in facing such discrimination; previous contestants have also suffered from similar attacks. April Benayoum, Miss Provence 2020, was subjected to anti-Semitic comments during her reign, leading to legal action against her detractors. Current Miss France, Ève Gilles, also experienced body shaming and derogatory remarks throughout her tenure. These incidents highlight a troubling trend of cyberbullying within beauty pageants, where candidates are often judged harshly based on their appearance and background.
