For the first time in its 93-year history, Miss America is a woman of Indian heritage.
Nina Davuluri was crowned Sunday night, but within minutes of her win she was greeted by a number of hateful and racist tweets, that was in the US. Some tweets read:
“I swear I’m not racist but this is America.” “Congratulations Al-Qaeda. Our Miss America is one of you.” “Miss America? You mean Miss 7-11.”
Back in her parents' home country, she's facing another kind of backlash, involving the colour of her skin.
India has criticized darkness of Ms Davuluri’s skin, speculating that she ‘wouldn’t have been fair-skinned enough to win a pageant in her parents’ home country,’ Time.com reports.
Dermatologist Jamuna Pai says, “Unfortunately, in our country, they think looking better means you have to look fairer.”
Despite all of the racist and negative remarks, the new Miss America has gracefully disregarded the backlash.
“I have to rise above that. I always viewed myself as first and foremost American,” she says.
