Page 38 - Q01-2021 Fins Magazine

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By Scarlet emrath | Patricia pastrano
MERFOLK PERSPECTIVES Individual action can and will always be stronger than the
An ongoing study is being conducted by Victoria Tapscott status quo.”
(aka Mermaid Tiva) to discover the diversity of the
community. Her project aims to demonstrate how talented PROGRESS MADE
mers come in all packages regardless of age. It needs to be noted. The MMI pageant series has made
changes to deviate themselves from typical pageants. They
A survey within this project compiled 300 results in less than have increased their age limit to 36 from the standard 28.
a week. The results show an estimated 32% of merfolk are They have also expanded to include married women and
ineligible to compete in MMI pageants. women with children. These steps are definitely in the right
direction and should be commended. In order to deviate
From a financial perspective, this results in reduced entry fees from the patriarchal guidelines from yesteryear, strides are
and sponsorship opportunities. Within any growing industry, still needed for the mermaid community to be happy.
sponsors recognize how a lack of inclusivity can negatively
impact revenue potential. IN-FIN-ITE OPPORTUNITIES
The mermaid industry is on the rise, growing steadily each
In a survey conducted by Fins, more than 15 of the 19 of year. An industry that demonstrates core values of merfolk,
respondents indicated their lack of support for the eligibility merfolk are more than the measurements, aesthetic societal
restrictions. beauty, or age the pageant system currently. They are
environmental educators, conservation activists, and an
Some expressed appreciation of the Directors of Miss inclusive community.
Mermaid USA and their desire to support community
concerns despite lack of authority to exact change. Close to a third of those surveyed disagree with the
guidelines used by MMI. It is completely understandable to
Respondents noted concerns in additional areas outside not be there yet.
of eligibility concerns. Looking at MMI history, there are
few pageant winners who are plus size, suggesting that The mermaid community is asking to be heard on a mermaid
discrimination exists. event/pageant that is designed to bring mermaiding, ocean
Lack of Inclusivity: A response supported this stating that “the restrictions feel activism and modeling together.

discriminatory, as though the judges already believe that
Going forward both merfolk and MMI have the ability to
older participants don’t have the creativity, strength, finesse,
exact changes in the spirit of progress.
hurtful.”
Mermaid Pageants by SCARLET EMRETH | PATRICIA PASTRANO and beauty they are looking for, and that is just unnecessarily Merfolk have the ability and opportunity to explore other
competitions or create one of their own that values the
Suggesting patience, someone shared, “Miss Mermaid
International is just starting and should be given more time inclusivity of the community in this ever-expanding world.
Merfolk are a remarkably diverse community containing countries, are tested in various skills including but not limited to grow into the large all-inclusive contest environment that is Miss Mermaid International has an opportunity to be
various ages, sizes, genders, cultures and colors. So inclusive, to evening gown, freediving, underwater modeling, and wanted. They are running a business and reality of financial groundbreakers in traditions riddled with standards from
it can be deemed a contradiction when “Mermaid” and costume design. impacts exist. “ yesteryear. In order to do this, changes need to be made to
“Pageant” are paired together. eligibility requirements and their focus on physical beauty
Elements of traditional pageantry are further encompassed Exploring alternatives was another suggestion. “Competitions and ‘nice’ figures.
The US merfolk community has been voicing concerns over the with an interview section, where mermaids must explain are available that don’t have the eligibility restrictions. The
Miss Mermaid USA pageant and its lack of inclusivity related their mission for ocean conservation. When looking at other World Mermaid Championship exists in China. It is a sport An opportunity exists to shatter the glass, who is going to
to age and gender. One in a series of pageants, it is owned pageants such as Miss Universe (MUO) , the parallels to Miss and performance based competition open to all ages and do it first? The mermaid community or the Miss Mermaid
by Miss Mermaid International (MMI). A unique series of Mermaid International are easy to see. genders.” International pageant series?
beauty pageants bringing mermaiding, modeling and ocean
activism together. Both are beauty pageants. More specific in nature, MMI Based on this, we researched and did find other more
is a pageant that “uses the beauty of mermaids to raise inclusive mermaid and ocean friendly contests. Additional
PAGEANT TRADITIONS awareness for marine conservation.” They are also similar in contests to consider are the Merlympics (at MermagicCon)
Given that most pageants are run by modeling agencies and having an international audience. and Miss/Mister Ocean World (includes option for teens
fashion sponsors, there seems to be a global standard the too).”
female contestants must fit. Contestants for MUO and MMI are judged in three
categories: personality, interview, swimsuit, and evening gown. There is a recurring suggestion from the minority that has
The MMI website publishes measurements on photos of Miss Mermaid has added categories that support ocean merit. Create the pageant the community wants.
contestant winners and clearly states on their website that conservation and mermaid related skills. EDITOR'S NOTE: FINS MagazINE haS REachED
mermaids, “should be pretty with a nice figure.” One contributor stated, “Instead of trying to change a OuT ON SEvERal OccaSIONS buT haS bEEN uNablE
Advocation for humanitarian issues is included in Miss long-standing misogynistic industry, I would start my own
To become Miss Mermaid International, after meeting Universe by asking each female contestant to be a voice to pageant separate from the mainstream pageant industry.” TO REcEIvE a RESpONSE FROM MISS MERMaID
eligibility requirements, contestants compete in a few affect positive change in the world. MMI emulated a similar Another suggested, “Find new sponsors and get community INTERNaTIONal IN REgaRDS TO FuTuRE plaNS.
regional pageants with the goal of reaching Miss Mermaid philanthropic platform by adopting Save The Oceans. funded support to establish a pageant with new standards.
International’s crowning event. The contestants, from over 30