Miss Texas, Karlie Hay, became the new Miss Teen USA on Saturday night, but she’s already involved in controversy after racist tweets were discovered on her Twitter page.
In past social media conversations with friends, Karlie Hay repeatedly used the ‘n’ word on her public pages. After she was crowned the new Miss Teen USA over the weekend, people began delving into her past — on that was still free for the taking on her Twitter page.
They discovered the tweets using offensive language, which dated back to 2013.
Karlie Hay is acknowledging the situation today, saying that she was in a different place in life three years ago. She admits to using such language and acknowledges that it wasn’t right and there was no excuse for it.
While this public acknowledgment seems to be enough for the Miss Universe Organization, which runs the Miss Teen USA pageant and is allowing Karlie Hay to keep her crown, others aren’t quite as quick to dust her previous actions away, noting that she has not specifically expressed remorse for her actions in the past, only saying that she has changed. But how do we know?
Several years ago, I had many personal struggles and found myself in a place that is not representative of who I am as a person…
— Chanel Williams (@MissTXTeenUSA) July 31, 2016
I admit that I have used language publicly in the past which I am not proud of and that there is no excuse for. Through hard work…
— Chanel Williams (@MissTXTeenUSA) July 31, 2016
Through hard work, education and thanks in large part to the sisterhood that I have come to know through pageants, I am proud to say that…
— Chanel Williams (@MissTXTeenUSA) July 31, 2016
I am today a better person. I am honored to hold this title and I will use this platform to promote the values of…
— Chanel Williams (@MissTXTeenUSA) July 31, 2016
The Miss Universe Organization, and my own, that recognize the confidence, beauty and perseverance of all women.
— Chanel Williams (@MissTXTeenUSA) July 31, 2016
Former Miss Teen USA Kamie Crawford sounded off on the scandal, as well, saying that as Miss Teen USA, Hay has an image to uphold and that those tweets should have been removed long ago. She also addressed that the competition was already under fire for an all-white, all-blonde top 5, which demonstrated a significant lack of diversity.
I can take the #missteenusa top 5 being an all white, all blonde top 5. What I can't take is – why didn't the winner clean up her page?
— Kamie Crawford (@KamieCrawford) July 31, 2016
If u win any pageant – first things first. Clean up ur page. Cus if ur under 21 u shouldn't b drinking&if ur WHITE the n word ain't yo word!
— Kamie Crawford (@KamieCrawford) July 31, 2016
Social Media Reacts to Miss Teen USA Karlie Hay’s Racial Slurs
Translation: I got caught for what I really am and now I need to make a statement about my white struggles in Texas.
— ErzsieTheMexiGarian (@Erzsebizzle) August 1, 2016
Yes continue to represent America as a Racist so the whole world will know!
— Richard Harris (@richardharris69) August 1, 2016
Child bye @RealMissTXteen if you resign then maybe we would take your apology seriously but until then #GirlBye https://t.co/HQNfzWv3lZ
— Tenacious Ji♏♏y™ (@NovaBoi5) August 1, 2016
@RealMissTXteen is clearly racist and unapologetic. @MissTeenUSA should be ashamed. & the fact that she wants to go to @TAMU is even worse
— Peep My Pinned Tweet (@LookAtThemLegs) August 1, 2016
People make mistakes especially teens and there's no reason to crucify @RealMissTXteen Karlie Hay for messing up
— Briana Maund (@briana_maund) August 1, 2016
don't try to clean up your act now because your miss teen USA
— Tiffany Marie :) (@Tiffanyy_Co) August 1, 2016
https://twitter.com/KiraJW/status/760150026744107009
@HickokJ1876 @RealMissTXteen I'm not condemning anyone. I just think Ms Teen USA would think about who they want to represent their org.
— TolkienNegro (@thewellfedslave) August 1, 2016
@RealMissTXteen You need to step down, now, and take up responsibility for your actions. You arent worthy to stand aside women like Deshauna
— Giavanna Hernandez (@GiaHer78) August 1, 2016
@RealMissTXteen According to you guys we want young women to know that its ok to be rascist and drink underage as long as youre white!
— Giavanna Hernandez (@GiaHer78) August 1, 2016
Let's be real, America. If @RealMissTXteen had been anything other than a blonde white woman, her title would have been snatched! #RevokeIt
— Christopher Clay (@MrChrisC84) August 1, 2016
Image source: missuniverse.com
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