I Have An Identity. And It's Not My Religion

With Miss Universe airing tomorrow morning, I'd imagine every boy and girl waiting in anticipation to see those beautiful ladies strut their stuff and ramble on about world peace.
Why not?
I was anxiously waiting too...

Until I saw the following headline-

Muslim Miss USA: Move mosque from ground zero
(Todayshow.com, viewed on MSN.com)

Nice headline don'tcha think?

Let's forget, for just one second, about the story and Miss USA Rima Fakih being against the plan of building a mosque near ground zero.

Let's focus on the crafty headline 'Muslim Miss USA'.

I don't remember any previous Miss USA's, being named by their religions first.
Was there a Christian Miss USA mentioned in earlier pageants?
Shit, I really don't remember.

We can't deny, that the headline is catchy and attractive, just like it's supposed to be... Just like it was taught to us at Journalism School.
But have we easily forgotten those ethics learnt?

To emphasize on someone's religion, regardless of they've said, just to make a point seem way more attractive is, according to me, holding religious differences at high regard.

I'm sorry, but I think it's okay to say that Miss Rima Fakih, a Muslim-American or American riased Muslim, disagrees with a mosque being built near ground zero.
It has equal value, it's equally interesting.
And whilst we are (unfortunately) giving religion a preference, it doesn't overrule who she is.

To put her religion, before her name as though that is the main form of her identity,seems a little sad to me.
We can all admit that we've come farther than that, than name calling and the religious scandals.

Then again, maybe I'm overreacting.

=/