When 23-year-old Kira Kazantsev won the Miss America pageant last week, social media users expressed mixed emotions. Some felt her red-cup routine in the talent portion of the competition was disappointing while others admired her strong stance on raising awareness about domestic violence and ending sexual assault in the military.
However, after discovering that Kazantsev had previously interned for three months at a Planned Parenthood in New York, some people viciously attacked the newly crowned winner. These attacks were fueled by pro-life website LifeNews.com, which accused Kazantsev of snuffing out the lives of young girls at the nation’s “biggest abortion company.” Subsequently, thousands of Internet users labeled her a “bitch,” “slut” and a “bimbo.” Many demanded that Kazantsev be disqualified from her position, declared her victory a tragedy and announced revulsion at Kazantsev being crowned the new Miss America.
Kazantsev, a triple-major graduate from Hofstra University in New York and a fluent speaker of three languages, is an intelligent and confident young woman who is dedicated to public service. Through her internship at Planned Parenthood, she assisted the organization in teaching children about self-esteem and respect.
It is unfair and deeply disturbing that she is being targeted with such hateful and outrageous insults simply because she supported Planned Parenthood, a nonprofit organization that provides millions of people with high-quality sexual-health services throughout our country and the world.
Abortion accounts for only 3 percent of Planned Parenthood’s services. The organization also provides testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), cancer screenings like breast exams and pap smears, contraception, counseling and comprehensive sex education. Many men, women and teenagers who are at or below the federal poverty line directly benefit from these important health services that they might not have access to otherwise.
Considering these facts, it is appalling that a small minority of Americans attack and demonize Planned Parenthood and anyone associated with it. Research has consistently shown that access to contraception and comprehensive sex education strongly reduces the rate of unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.
According to a 2012 study published in “Obstetrics & Gynecology,” the rate of unintended pregnancy significantly decreases when women have access to free birth control. In addition to reducing the rate of unplanned pregnancies in teenagers, wide availability of free contraception cuts the number of abortions by more than half.
Planned Parenthood’s sexual-education programs are also a crucial component in improving sexual health. The vast majority of Americans support comprehensive sex education, which gives people the information they need to lead a responsible and healthy life.
The conclusion is undeniable: Planned Parenthood provides services that are crucial for our society. Instead of being villainized for her internship at the organization, Kazantsev should be applauded. She assisted in giving people the tools they need to stay healthy and safe, and she made a positive difference.
I’m proud that our new Miss America believes all people deserve to be informed and empowered when it comes to their sexual health. It is unfortunate that a small group of people decided to criticize and bash Kazantsev for her involvement with the organization. These individuals have demonstrated their ignorance about how communities across the country are positively affected by Planned Parenthood.
Just as Planned Parenthood helps educate Americans about the importance of healthy and safe sexual interaction, these hateful individuals should educate themselves about the good this organization does in their communities and around the country.
As research shows, a little education goes a long way.
Moriah Camenker is a UF public relations senior. Her columns appear on Tuesdays.
