Nikole Churchill – Not Black Enough to be Miss Hampton or Are There Other Reasons?
An outrage is brewing on an HBCU campus, Nikole Churchill is right in the center of the saga. Hampton University recently crowned Ms. Churchill, Miss Hampton University.
Nikole is not your run of the mill Hampton student. She is neither African American or a candidate for the one drop rule. Ms. Churchill is an Italian and Hawaiian nursing student who attends a satellite campus of the university.
In a recent letter sent to President Obama, Nikole outlines her woes
Aloha Mr. Obama!
My name is Nikole Churchill, a senior nursing major at Hampton University. This past Friday October 9, 2009, I was honored to be crowned Miss Hampton University 2009-2010. It truly was the best night of my life! With that being said, I am sad to say…… that my crowning was not widely accepted and many negative comments regarding my win have been shared throughout my campus.It would be much easier to say that possibly some were not accepting of the news because I wasn’t the most qualified contestant; however, the true reason for the disapproval was because of the color of my skin. I am not African-American. Despite the unfortunate beliefs that some are saying I should not have won, I am desperately trying to focus on those who believe in me and support me and my goal to represent this beautiful, multicultural campus the very best way that I can. I would love your help!
I am hoping that perhaps you would be able to make an appearance to my campus, Hampton University, so that my fellow Hamptonians can stop focusing so much on the color of my skin and doubting my abilities to represent, but rather be proud of the changes our nation is making towards accepting diversity. People are even nicknaming me, “lil Obama” because of various reasons. This is truly an honor as well!
I am also from Hawaii (Wahiawa) and I am hoping that you can assist me in
opening some closed minds and help share some aloha spirit throughout my campus. I feel as though you could relate to my situation, which is why I immediately wanted to contact you. I was interviewed last night at the HU vs. HU football game by news channel 13 and I mentioned how individuals such as you and myself are making changes in hopes people can stop placing so much focus on our skin color by letting that define what we can, cannot, should, and/or should not do. Dr. Harvey welcomed me last night to the family with open arms and I was beyond honored when he told me that he is behind me 100%. I am proud to represent Hampton University and I am so proud having you to represent our home, our country. Your support with my crowning as Miss Hampton University 2009-2010 would be graciously appreciated. Please reply, I will be looking forward to it!
-Nikole Churchill
Virginia Beach , VA
On face value, the outrage over Ms. Churchill being crowned Miss Hampton University would appear to be reverse racism (or as Wanda Sykes recently put it, ‘just plain racism’). Before you rush to judgment, you have to consider the sentiments of the students at Hampton. Around the web, alumni and currents students alike have noted that the crowning of the Miss Hampton is purely political. Mostly an effort to give the university a good appearance.
The students note that Nikole is not an active member of the student body. She has not participated in campus activities nor has she had any sort of presence on campus during the time she has been a student. However, the other contestants were very active members of the student body.
They also cite that other people of none African dissent have served as members of student government and leaders on the campus without incident. Plainly, the students believe that Nikole was chosen as a token white girl to further the political agenda of Hampton’s administration. In addition, they also question Nikole’s motives. She wrote to Barack Obama only days after receiving the crown. The students propose that other avenues were available to Nikole. They feel that she is seeking notoriety.
[Update: Nikole has retracted her letter to Obama] taken from her facebook page:
I am deeply sorry to anyone I have unintentionally dissapointed in my letter to Obama. I am taking every step to correct the misunderstanding & w/ yr support can move past this & focus more on this proud campus & what we can do for it! THANK YOU for the outpouring of support. It is the motivation I need to keep my head up. I am working hard on responding to msgs/requests, please just know u all mean so much to me ?
