In August, the 23-year-old model chose to withdraw from the pageant, raising questions about the timing and motives behind the investigations into her identity. Why did such claims surface only after her rise to prominence? This situation reveals that racism is not limited to specific races or ethnic groups. It is a pervasive human flaw, transcending borders.

While many Africans view racism primarily as a Black-and-White issue based on skin color, Chidimma’s experience uncovers a bitter reality: racism often revolves around power and control. One group asserts its superiority to maintain privilege, whether for economic or political gain. Skin color may be the most visible marker, but it is merely the tool, not the essence, of racism.

The controversy surrounding Chidimma’s potential Miss South Africa victory exposed the discriminatory attitudes lurking beneath the surface. Despite her naturalization as a South African, many questioned her legitimacy due to her Nigerian name. This rejection of her identity reveals a troubling truth: racism, in this instance, was not imposed by outsiders but by South Africans themselves. In their refusal to accept Chidimma, they displayed the very prejudice they often decry.

Afterward, Chidimma was invited to compete in Nigeria’s Miss Universe pageant, where she triumphed and earned the right to represent Nigeria at the 2024 Miss Universe competition. In November, she made history as the first Nigerian to become the 1st runner-up, just behind Denmark’s Victoria Theilvig. Her victory also earned her the title of Miss Universe Africa and Oceania, marking a historic moment for Nigeria and the continent.

In a recent interview, Chidimma reflected on the struggles she faced before this achievement. She explained how some South Africans believed she wasn’t “South African enough” due to her distinctly Nigerian name, “Chidimma.” This was where the roots of racism in her story lay.

Chidimma’s journey serves as a powerful reminder that racism is not always overt or systemic. Sometimes, it manifests in subtle cultural exclusion, forcing individuals like Chidimma to defend their place in spaces they rightfully belong to.

Her experience highlights an often-overlooked truth: racism is not inherently tied to skin color but is rooted in humanity’s darker impulses. It is driven by the need to dominate, exclude, and control.

Chidimma’s transformation from a rejected figure to a celebrated global icon is encapsulated by the phrase, “the rejected stone became the chief cornerstone.” Despite being pushed aside, she now stands as a symbol of resilience and triumph. Ironically, even the South Africans who once called for her disqualification have since joined in celebrating her success, reflecting how quickly public opinion can change when success is undeniable.

According to Daniel Abusuamepeh, a researcher on race and social issues, tribalism within African societies mirrors the systemic discrimination seen globally. Racism adapts to its environment—tribalism in Africa, racial structures in Europe and America—but its intent remains the same: division and control disguised as difference.

Chidimma’s rise from rejection to global recognition is a powerful lesson in tolerance and perseverance. It challenges Africans to confront their own prejudices of racism and tribalism, which hinder unity.

Her story is a reminder that racism is not about color but about the desire to dominate and control those seen as outsiders, ultimately harming those who perpetuate it.