For the first time, Miss Hampton University is non-black. Hampton University, a historically black college university in Virginia, broke school tradition by electing the first non-black Miss Hampton University in its141-year history, according to the Daily Press

The Miss Hampton University for the 2009-2010 school year is Nikole Churchill, 22, a senior nursing major. Churchhill reportedly competed against 15 fellow students for the crown, as well as a $1,500 scholarship, the title of homecoming queen at the Hampton University, and processes to the 2010 Miss Virginia pageant.

The significance of the Miss Virginia pageant is that the winner then participates in the Miss America pageant. Along with two judges from the Virginia competition, Miss Hampton University was judged by a school counselor, a music professor, and a vice president from a local bank.

The Daily Press also reported that Churchhill’s win was the source of controversy on campus, with some students relating the point of view that, since Churchhill is not black (she identifies herself as Hawaiian, though the Press noted that Churchill’s parents are from Guam and Italy), she cannot relate to the average student. Others, meanwhile, pointed out the school’s history of promoting diversity in education.

The controversy then inspired Churchill to post a letter to President Barack Obama Sunday, asking that he would travel to Hampton University “so that my fellow Hamptonians can stop focusing so much on the color of my skin and doubting my abilities to represent [the campus] but rather be proud of the changes our nation is making toward accepting diversity.”

However, since Churchill did not receive permission to post the letter, Churchill subsequently made an apology for the letter Monday, writing that:

“I am honored to be the winner of the Miss Hampton University Pageant that was held on Friday, October 9, 2009. On Sunday, October 11, 2009 I posted a letter to President Obama saying that my win was not widely accepted on campus. I have now come to regret writing this letter and disappointing the very students that I now represent…

Churchill goes on: “Hampton University has always promoted diversity. In fact Hampton University pioneered American Indian education and has embraced diversity since its inception. I truly apologize to all students, faculty, staff and alumni. It was absolutely not my intention to bring negative attention to the University. I deeply apologize for any misunderstandings that this may have caused and I look forward to working with my fellow students to promote the Hampton University legacy.”

To read the statement in full, go here:

Our Take

On the one hand, does it seem counterintuitive for a historically black university to elect a Miss Hampton University who isn’t black? Sure. Black university, black pageant, black Miss Hampton university. Not exactly rocket science.

On the other hand, Hampton University’s bold move of selecting a non-black Miss Hampton University to represent their campus is a bold shot in recognizing that the United States is moving toward a post-racial society. Which raises the question: Are we even close to getting there? And...I’m going to let that question fall, as I’m the whitest white guy this side of Whitesburg. (Favorite restaurant? You guessed it. White Castle).

But still, as Churchill noted herself, Hampton University as a rich, singular history of promoting diversity and education amongst groups who, historically, have been at a disadvantage. Selecting Churchill not only honors that legacy, in part, it also works an establishing another legacy, one that shows that Hampton University is striving for a color-blind utopia. Well, maybe that’s pushing it a tad, but still, at the very least, the judges should be applauded for having an open mind.

Sure, Churchill’s statement to the President is a bit silly and counter-productive ("Michelle, I must drop everything! There’s mild racial discontent somewhere in Tidewater!") , but she seems to be willing to work with her fellow students. It should only be fair that they work with her in turn.