Ashley Ann Cariño Barreto, who was crowned on August 11 as the new Miss Universe Puerto Rico, emphasized on RADIO ISLA the importance of representing women, especially black women.
The beauty queen told the medium that at the age of 10 or 11, she saw herself reflected in the character Nyota Uhura from the original 1966 Star Trek series, played by actress Nichelle Nichols. Cariño Barreto explained that at the time the series premiered, “it was the first time a black woman had an important role in the series. Never had a black woman been seen like this. When I saw that, I said ‘wow, if she did it, I can do it.’ I saw it reflected in her.”
Cariño Barreto added that Nichols and his character were one of his inspirations to study Aerospace Engineering. “Representation is important. It’s when you see a person and say ‘wow, if she did it, if he did it, then I can do it,'” said Cariño Barreto.
Indeed, Nichelle Nichols, who died on July 30 at the age of 89, is credited as one of the actresses who helped break racial stereotypes in Hollywood roles at a time when the civil rights movement was in full swing. complete, according to the NBC News Portal. This network also reported that some of Nichols’ earthly remains will be blown up into space.
Related article: New Miss Universe Puerto Rico favors the participation of pregnant, married and trans women in the pageant
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