Rachael Malonson, Miss Black University of Texas, has struggled with her racial identity.(@rachael212 /Instagram)
The biracial winner of the Miss Black University of Texas pageant isn’t letting questions surrounding the worthiness of her title hold her back.
Rachael Malonson, a senior, decided to take part in the Sunday, April 30, competition in order to “gain a deeper inner confidence” before graduation, she told USA Today College.
“I wasn’t sure if I would even place in the pageant because I wasn’t sure they would think I was ‘Black enough,’ ” Malonson said.
The 22-year-old, whose father is Black and mother is white, participated in the event put on by Black fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi. When she was crowned the winner, her friends and loved ones applauded her on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/The_Ambeezy/status/859523308617949189
MY SISTER IS THE NEWEST MISS MF BLACK UT SO PROUD OF YOU BABYYYY ✨❤️👸🏽 @RachaelMalonson @ID_NUPEs
— fka thee pony (@__jawnredcorn) May 1, 2017
https://twitter.com/kyliekapri/status/858927877693349889
But negativity quickly flooded her timeline when some questioned if she was dark enough to wear the crown.
@ID_NUPEs @RachaelMalonson @WhatUpDoeDoe @Emma_mattie @nyleswashington @Davidallen_3 soooo… this is a joke right?? pic.twitter.com/zX57gU4Mc4
— islandting ?? (@oddneekah_) May 3, 2017
@avuitton_ @afrolatinababe @ID_NUPEs @RachaelMalonson @WhatUpDoeDoe @Emma_mattie @nyleswashington @Davidallen_3 she’s clearly the lightest, damn near white looking “black woman” & she won over the others. quit playing dumb guys. it looks sketchy
— chocolate drop ?✨ (@_ColeWorldShwty) May 3, 2017
@ID_NUPEs @RachaelMalonson @WhatUpDoeDoe @Emma_mattie @nyleswashington @Davidallen_3 they should pulled out the brown paper bag test???♀️
— Jameeda Rucker (@_JRPR_) May 3, 2017
“I didn’t realize that, even after I received the title, I would still have to explain myself, that there was still ignorant people out there who are asking me to prove myself,” Malonson told Fox News. “Just because I have straight hair and olive skin tone doesn’t mean I’m not Black.
“I don’t have to look a certain way to be Black.”
Some defended the journalism major, who also is the vice president of UT’s National Association of Black Journalists.
@afrolatinababe @ID_NUPEs @RachaelMalonson @WhatUpDoeDoe @Emma_mattie @nyleswashington @Davidallen_3 Shes black! Like she’s legit a black woman
— av (@avuitton_) May 3, 2017
@oddneekah_ @nyleswashington @ID_NUPEs @RachaelMalonson @WhatUpDoeDoe @Emma_mattie @Davidallen_3 Being Black and being talented. Next question.
— poetic sadbabe? (@yung__megatron) May 3, 2017
https://twitter.com/avuitton_/status/859590803890601985
Malonson decided to focus on the positivity on Twitter.
Wow. It's really beautiful to see how the black community at UT will come together and stand up for their brothers and sisters❤️
— Rachael Malonson (@RachaelMalonson) May 2, 2017
A time that was supposed to make me feel worthless turned into a beautiful reminder that I have true brothers and sisters at UT❤️
— Rachael Malonson (@RachaelMalonson) May 2, 2017
Malonson, who told the Daily Texan she has long struggled with her racial identity, now says she embraces her straight locks and light skin tone.
“I’m confident in it now and see it as a unique trait where I’m able to teach people that not every Black person [and] not every mixed person looks the same way.”
