Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Integrity

Is something I think is incredibly important. Unfortunately in this day and age it is becoming less and less important or "politically correct" to have integrity.

My definition of integrity comes from the LDS Young Women values:
“I will have the moral courage to make my actions consistent with my knowledge of right and wrong.”
I have seen Integrity in action today as I have watched the clips of Miss , Carrie Prejean, answering her question last night in the Miss America Pageant.

For those of you who don't know what happened one of the judges (I'm not going to say which one because I don't want his name on my blog) asked her if she thought that the rest of the states should follow Vermont in legalizing same sex marriage. The judge that asked the question is openly gay.

Miss California then proceeded to give this answer:
'"Well, I think it’s great that Americans are able to choose one or the other. Um–we live in a land that you can choose same-sex or opposite marriage and, ya know what? In my country and in my family I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that’s how I was raised and that’s how I think that it should be between a man and a woman. Thank you."
You could tell that she was caught off guard by this question especially by who asked it. I think she knew that by giving an honest answer, by having INTEGRITY, it would hurt her chances at the crown. She was even booed while giving the answer

It was basically THE SAME ANSWER THAT PRESIDENT OBAMA GAVE WHILE CAMPAIGNING FOR OFFICE.

Miss California didn't win the crown of Miss America last night. She was the first runner up. Her answer probably cost her the crown. But she stayed true to her beliefs. She knew what she had been taught. She spoke the truth. She had Integrity.

She was the real winner last night. I don't care what anyone else says.

25 comments:

Vanessa said...

Amen. And now she gets nothing but flack for it. She rocks.

Brooke said...

I wish more people had integrity and common sense. Both things that have been seen less and less over the years...

AW Cake! said...

Good for her! It makes me happy when people actually stand up for what they believe in, especially in high pressure/stress situations. I'm proud of her.

Barbaloot said...

I think her response was awesome! How scary for her---but how awesome that she stayed true to what she believed.

The good news is that she's also had a lot of positive response on a personal level---so I'm happy people are letting her know they support and appreciate her.

Jillene said...

Good for her!! I am glad that she stood up for her beliefs.

Me (aka Danielle) said...

I couldn't agree more! She is the real winner for standing up with integrity.

P.S. Love the new profile pic. Totally cool!

Lara Neves said...

That is really wonderful. I hope she feels good about it, even after all the backlash she will receive.

tiburon said...

I totally agree. And I was thinking the same thing about Obama. Funny.

Jo said...

I know she went to bed proud of her answer and I am sure her parents are proud of their daughter. Who could ask for more?

Kristina P. said...

It makes me so sad the kind of backlash she has received. What ever happened for standing up for your convictions and not saying the popular thing because that's what everyone wants her to say?

I for one, am proud of her, and I even have mixed feelings on gay marriage.

veronica said...

I totally agree. I was thrilled when I heard her answer. (I felt like writing her a letter to tell her THANK YOU!)
It's so sad how far this world has strayed from what is right!

Sheri, RN said...

I personally think people should be able to marry whomever they wish. However, I do not think any less of Miss California for answering it how she did. She has every right to have an opinion on it and think how she wishes and was raised to do so. I actually think very highly of her because she answered it truthfully and with integrity, as Queen Hilton should have respected too.

mCat said...

I admire her so much for standing up for her core values, especially when she was caught off guard and knowing who asked the question. He was totally trying to set her up, and it ticks me off.

She is a great example to our YW!!

Mary said...

Great post...and I agree. How is it fair that it is PC to accept one response, when asked a personal opinion, but okay to boo another. Integrity and values seem to be in short supply lately.

Pedaling said...

miss cali rocks!

Rachel Sue said...

I saw that clip. And I think she is awesome for sticking to her beliefs. And I hate it when people boo. For any reason. It's just rude.

Together We Save said...

Wow I had missed that. Good for her.

Bonnie the Boss said...

Wow! I wish I could have witnessed that. What a wonderful young woman to stand up for what she believes in and not cave!

tammy said...

I agree. She should be very proud.

Jessica G. said...

I agree...she stood by her beliefs, even though it cost her the crown and now she'll be a favorite target for people who think that because they're gay, they can't commit a hate crime.

Omgirl said...

Integrity is seriously lacking today. Good for her for being brave enough to say what she believed, even when it was unpopular.

Shawn said...

YAY! Good for her! But boo-hoo to the judges for asking that question. I think that it crosses the line to ask moral questions---that is crazy!!!

That is not politics----it is a moral question.

wendy said...

I have read several posts today about this very subject. All I can say is GOOD FOR HER - she won a different crown that night. great courage

Wendyburd1 said...

Wow I wish I could have seen that, how unfair I have to say to be asked by THAT judge in front of America. It just seems like that sensitive a question should have been asked by another judge to make the answerer less...well cornered!

3 Bay B Chicks said...

It was a grave injustice that Miss California did not win. I actually missed this part of the show and was so confused by her loss.

I like to think that Californians like to keep it real..but I could also just be biased.

-Francesca

PS: ADORE the new profile pic. It is your best one yet and very fitting for summer.