The First Indian Miss America, racism and the bigot next door
When Nina Davuluri was crowned Miss America, there was a nasty backlash online. People didn’t like that she was the first woman of Indian descent to win the crown. They told her: It’s America, not India and called her a terrorist, made references to al-Qaeda and whined about it being inappropriate because it was close to 9/11.
My good friend Ruby is a gracious mom of two boys and a wife to a sweet man. They are also Sikhs and she wrote a telling post giving people a slice of some of the ignorance she’s seen. Take a moment to enjoy her insight:
Photo by Andy Jones at AgeOwns.com.
Miss America of 2013 is an Indian woman from Michigan. This was not the first time an Indian woman won a pageant of this sort so I thought nothing of it (no, I did not watch it on TV, I never do.)
Within minutes I started seeing posts about racist comments and discriminatory remarks that people were making. Really?! I don’t know why I am so surprised. It happens to us all the time! — Did I just say that, again?
My two sons are American by birth, I was born in Canada and my husband moved to Canada when he was 3 years old. If you talk to us over the phone, you will have no idea of our cultural roots.
Recently my neighbor of 10 years just mentioned to me how he disagreed with “my Afghan religion” but respected me as a person. Really?! I know we have talked to him many times about us being Sikh (the fact that he views all ‘Afghans’ in a negative light is mind-boggling!)
But somehow he has not been able to get past the turbans my husband and two sons wear. He went as far as to tell me that I was really cool and easy to talk to because I look “American.” Wow!~:) I chuckled, yes I did. Because ignorance is not bliss and living in a bubble is a sad state of affairs. I am neither ignorant, nor do I live in a bubble. I live in an American country where we take pride in cultural diversity and religious tolerance.
Yet, some how in 2013, an American woman born to an Indian family in America, is frowned upon because she does not represent the “American” idea of beauty? I’m glad she won, not because she is Indian but because she deserved to win as an American. And I hope she bursts all those ignorant bubbles out there!…AND she can move to rhythm with grace and elegance;)..God bless you Nina Davuluri.
So many thoughts. The main one is how people are so comfortable coming out their necks with the things they say. It’s very unsettling that they truly believe it’s ok and right. I feel that blatancy of hate has increased since Sept. 2001 and Jan. 2009. The historical events of those dates have emboldened racists in a way I hadn’t experienced before, in my lifetime. The fact that there seems to be a growing number of blissfully ignorant hateful people out there is sad and scary.
You’re right it is sad and scary that people think this way, but I have to say I do like that people are coming out with their stupidity because growing up nothing hurt my feelings more than finding out someone I thought was a friend was actually a narrowminded racist. (I suppose that’s a redundant phrase…) So for me, I rather you be out with your ignorance instead of trying to tapdance around it. I really appreciate a woman who told me she knew that she had a narrow mind when it came to other cultures, but that she was really and honestly trying to broaden it and expand it. I loved that. I’ve watched her over the years and that talk wasn’t just lip service, she has been working on opening herself. I wish more people would.
Thank you for writing about this Melanie! I just read the title of your blog post and chuckled. He also told me in the course of our conversation that he was raised as a “bigot”. He did say he was raised as one, but assured me he was not one anymore! Really?!! lol:)
Well thank you for letting me post it! You know, I wondered about the title, if that might rub your FB audience the wrong way, but then I thought, well I do like to call a spade a spade. Also, let’s be honest, a racist who admits he or she is a racist is a very rare bird. People are often quick to preface their “status” as a non-racist person with a super racist comment. Life’s funny that way. I suppose the best is just rising above, as I know you gracefully do. And just on a total girlie note, I am floored at just how incredibly beautiful she is. I mean, whoa woman and did you see the pics with her and Vanessa Williams? Talk about beauty overload.
You know, he’s really a great neighbour otherwise! He’s watered my grass for me when we first moved in. Taught us what to do and when to do it because we were 26 when we first bought this house and had no idea what to do! I think that is why I felt so strongly and positively moved when Maninder talked to all those first graders on September 11th. A lot of times, it is how we are raised. If we keep working towards spreading the message of Oneness and humanity, we will create a compassionate and loving world for our children and grandchildren. I do not foster any “hate” for this man because I know that even though he has a certain world view that categorizes people within different boxes, he would do whatever it takes to help us if we really needed help. For now, we continue to interact with him with respect and love. He is entitled to his point of view, and I am entitled to react with surprise and disbelief! He’s an interesting man with an interesting mind and a good heart and soul. By the way…Oh yeah, she’s beautiful!:)
people are so ignorant, i just try to ignore all the negativity. it’s really preposterous. you just gotta keep on, keeping on. and proving to all those ignorant people that you’re the most awesome person ever.