Vanessa Williams remembers being crowned Miss America

Back in 1983, Vanessa Williams made history when she became the first Black woman to be crowned Miss America. While a great win for her, she remembers criticizing many of the Black and White communities in America.

“I wasn’t seen as a 20-year-old, a youngster in college,” she recalled A&E We have our own record podcast. “I was seen as a symbol, but also seen as a Black woman, and [I was] also seen as a person who should have represented the beauty of America. ”

“And there are a lot of people who didn’t believe that brown skin and being a Black woman represented the real Miss America,” Williams continued.

Things got so bad that Williams remembers having sharpshooters at the homecoming parade.

“There were sharp walkers on top [the] roofs of my own city, just because of the threats I faced because of who I was, “she said.” I had death threats. “

However, the most serious threats she posed were those of her own people. “

“Not only have I been attacked by white people claiming to represent us, but some black people [said], ‘Oh they chose only the reason she is [light-skinned and has] light eyes, ‘”Williams recalled. “[They] kind of destroying my talent, my mind, and my accomplishment. So that was probably more hurtful. ”

Looking back, Williams said it was “difficult to accept that criticism” from the Black community. But thanks to her avoiding “a lot” of negative comments on “social media,” she has learned to accept her win.