Sometimes, even when you win, you lose.

University of Texas senior Rachael Malonson found that out this week after being crowned Miss Black University of Texas 2017 by the school’s Iota Delta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Photo: DeRouen Photography

After the win, Malonson was humbled and happy, writing on Facebook that her “blessings and strength are in Christ alone,” that in preparing for the pageant, she’d gained “deeper self-confidence” as well as “hilarious and sincere priceless memories” and had found a “new family I didn’t know I was incomplete without.”

That’s all great, right?

Actually, no. Folks on social media were quick to denounce Malonson’s win, attacking her because of her mixed race, accusing the broadcasting and journalism student of not being black enough to have won.

Photos: Twitter

Malonson spoke about “the obstacles I face as a biracial woman” during the pageant, telling The Daily Texan that she wanted to use the platform the contest provided “to break down stereotypes that don’t fit every black person and change the mindset.”

She told Fox News that she was surprised by her victory, that “as a biracial woman, I didn’t even think I was able to place.”

Malonson’s father is black; her mother is white. Of the backlash, she says “I didn’t realize that even after I received the title I would still have to explain myself, that there was still ignorant people out there who are asking me to prove myself. Just because I have straight hair and olive skin tone doesn’t mean I’m not black … I don’t have to look a certain way to be black."

Still, it hasn’t been all bad. At her school, at least, there has been an outpouring of support.

Photos: Twitter

“The beautiful thing about this is all the people here who have come out and defended me," Malonson said, "It shows I have a beautiful support system here."

Miss Black Univeristy of Texas

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