The world of beauty pageants was shaken when Sarah Dzafce, recently representing Finland at Miss Universe, was stripped of her title. A single image, rapidly spreading online, ignited a firestorm of controversy and ultimately led to her removal.
The photograph showed Dzafce smiling, but with her eyes deliberately narrowed – a gesture widely recognized as deeply disrespectful and racist towards people of East Asian descent. A caption accompanying the image, translated from Finnish, added fuel to the flames, referencing a meal shared with someone of Chinese origin.
The gesture carries a painful history, evoking harmful stereotypes and causing significant offense to Chinese, Japanese, and Korean communities. It wasn’t simply a misunderstanding; it tapped into deeply ingrained prejudices.
Dzafce quickly issued an apology, expressing regret that the photo had “caused ill will.” She insisted that any offense was unintentional, emphasizing her respect for all people and their backgrounds.
However, the apology wasn’t enough. Within days, the Miss Finland Organization made the difficult decision to revoke her title, transferring it to the first runner-up, Tara Lehtonen. The organization stated unequivocally that racism has no place within their community.
Dzafce attempted to explain the situation, claiming the photo was shared privately by a friend, with the offensive caption added without her consent. She further stated the gesture was a spontaneous reaction to a headache and pressure around her eyes.
The fallout extended beyond Dzafce herself. A Finnish politician, Juho Eerola, publicly imitated the gesture in a show of support, dismissing accusations of racism as “absurd.” He argued that Dzafce, with her own immigrant background, would understand the difference between harmless fun and genuine prejudice.
Eerola’s stance quickly drew criticism, forcing him to issue his own apology. The incident highlighted a troubling disconnect between perception and impact, and the importance of understanding the historical weight of such gestures.
Facing mounting pressure, even Finland’s Prime Minister, Petteri Orpo, issued a formal apology. He emphasized that the actions did not align with Finland’s core values of equality and inclusion, and the apology was released through Finnish embassies in China, Japan, and South Korea.
The Miss Finland Organization reaffirmed its commitment to inclusivity, stating that human dignity is paramount and demanding respectful dialogue from all involved. The incident served as a stark reminder of the power of images and the responsibility that comes with public representation.
The controversy underscores the need for greater cultural sensitivity and awareness, even – and perhaps especially – in spaces often perceived as purely focused on beauty and entertainment. It’s a lesson learned through a painful and public reckoning.
