Miss USA: “Health care is a privilege, not a right”
The newly-crowned Miss USA is being slammed on social media for her comments on feminism and healthcare, which many appear to find too conservative for their taste. Kara McCullough, 25, was asked about both topics as part of Sunday night’s pageant, during which she bested 50 contestants for the title in Las Vegas.
Viewers first seemed to rejoice when Miss District of Columbia, who works as a scientist at the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, became a part of the contest, bringing more visibility to women in STEM. However, many became disillusioned when she answered questions about feminism and healthcare. The contestants were asked: ‘What do you consider feminist to be and do you consider yourself a feminist?’ ‘So as a woman scientist in the government, I’d like to transpose the word feminism to equalism,’ McCullough said. ‘I try not to consider myself this diehard, like, “I don’t really care about men”.’
The South Carolina State University chemistry grad then elaborated, saying women are ‘just as equal as men when it comes to opportunity in the workplace’ and sharing her own experiences witnessing ‘firsthand’ the impact women can have on leadership.
Believing that women are equal to men, of course, is the definition of feminism. Unsurprisingly, many viewers took issue with Kara’s redefining of the word.
McCullough also attracted criticism for her answer to a question about healthcare and its place in society.
‘Do you think affordable healthcare for all US citizens is a right or a privilege and why?’ the five finalists were asked. ‘I’m definitely going to say it’s a privilege,’ McCullough said. ‘As a government employee, I’m granted healthcare. And I see firsthand that for one, to have healthcare, you need to have jobs, so therefore we need to continue to cultivate this environment that we’re given the opportunities to have health care as well as jobs for all American citizens worldwide.’
McCullough, meanwhile, said she was ‘extremely thankful’ for her win and had told judges that she was committed to advocating for women in science, technology, and math.
(dailymail.co.uk)