Faces Racism Slurs

CONTEST \\ In September, for the first time in its 100 year pageant history, America’s top beauty queen was a woman of Indian origin. Nina Davuluri, a 24-year-old from New York, who wants to be a doctor, performed a traditional Bollywood-style dance during the contest. Even before the contest ended there were a plethora of “hate tweets” circulating about the contestant. “I have to rise above that,” Davuluri said at a news conference. “I always viewed myself as first and foremost American.” While many American saluted Davuluri’s victory, some online commenters described the beauty queen, a practicing Hindu, as an Arab, and one that looks like a terrorist. One user said, It’s called Miss America. Get outta here New York you look like a terrorist. #bye #americanforamerica. A person who apparently tweeted from Kansas wrote, Are you serious??!!! The Arab wins??!!! This is miss AMERICA!!! Not miss Arabia!!! Miss Kansas is in the army and is a country girl!!! C'mon. Others, like Jezebel, a feminist blog, denounced the comments, saying racists are being racist because Miss America isn't white. This world is so ignorant. #MissAmerica Indian or not had every right to gain the title of MissAmerica. This is why I want to leave America! chimed in @Cjlovebug. Davuluri competed on the platform issue of “celebrating diversity through cultural competency. I’m thankful there are children watching at home who can finally relate to a new Miss America.” The University of Michigan honor student will also serve as the official national goodwill ambassador for the children’s charity group Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. Along with her much-prized title, Davuluri won a $50,000 scholarship to pursue her education.