An Open Letter to Miss Tennessee

First, let’s give honor where honor is due and congratulate Miss Georgia, Betty Cantrell, on her being crowned Miss America 2016 and thank her for her performance of Tu Tu Piccolo Iddio from Madame Butterfly; it was such an inspiration. 

While this whole blog could be about Cantrell’s remarkable accomplishments, there is yet a need to talk about another contestant, Miss Tennessee. See her response to MAP 2016 Judge Vanessa Williams’ question: “Some legislators are threatening to shut down the government over federal contributions to Planned Parenthood, even though no federal funds can be used for abortions. Should Planned Parenthood funding be cut off?”

The phrasing of the question based on Planned Parenthood propaganda that “even though no federal funds can be used for abortions” was seemingly a clever smoke screen. Everyone knows that funds are fluid. Federal tax-payer money can be used to fund their other health services leaving the way clear for Planned Parenthood to use regular donations to fund abortions. Let’s not forget that they also spend millions of dollars to influence elections by supporting pro-abortion candidates and opposing pro-life candidates.

Maybe Williams isn’t part of the machine, and maybe she just read the question that was handed to her. Then, perhaps Miss Tennessee, Hannah Robison, knowingly or perhaps unwittingly parroted the lies that Planned Parenthood broadcasts on a regular basis. I’m willing to give the ladies the benefit of the doubt. 

We do know who the usual suspect is: Planned Parenthood. 

So the plot thickens. Robinson said: “I don’t think Planned Parenthood funding should be cut off. The $500 million that [is given] to Planned Parenthood every single year goes to female care. It goes for scanning for cancer, it goes for mammograms. And if we don’t give that funding to Planned Parenthood, those women will be out of health care for reproductive causes.”

Actually, defunding Planned Parenthood will not mean that, as she said, “women will be out of health care for reproductive causes.” The $500-plus million Planned Parenthood would normally get would just be given to other health care providers that provide the same services Planned Parenthood provides (and more) without providing the abortions. The only thing that wouldn’t be funded is abortions, which, by law, tax dollars are not supposed to fund anyway. See this video by Students for Life on this subject.

Robison also seems to believe that the money Planned Parenthood receives is spent on providing mammograms. Maybe she is unaware that in fact Planned Parenthood doesn’t provide mammograms as Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards once claimed. Four years ago, Live Action exposed Cecile’s lie in this video. Actually, Planned Parenthood only makes referrals for mammograms. Women then have to go elsewhere and pay for their mammograms. 

Sadly, with over 7 million viewing the Miss America Pageant, there are 7 million viewers now either coughing up the Planned Parenthood lies or choking on them. There are millions who are victims of the propaganda. 

Dear Miss Tennessee, I hope this message sheds some light on the matter. There are so many, including me, who have been fed the lies. However, I once was blind, and now I see.

The issue is this: Planned Parenthood certainly will not correct the lies. They have too much invested in their propaganda, which is also linked to selling of baby body parts. So we have to set the captives free by speaking out. Let’s pray for (Miss) America.

Alveda King is author of King Rules, founder of Alveda King Ministries, director of African American Outreach for Priests for Life, and spiritual adviser for Restore the Dream 2015.