Racism and 2014 Miss America Winner

I am proud to call myself an American. Although our country is not perfect, not now and not in the past, I still believe we live in one of the greatest countries in the world. We are a culture built on immigrants, built on diversity, and built on the idea that everyone can be their own person and live the American dream.

On Sunday night I watched as Miss New York won the Miss America pageant for the second year in a row. Last year, Miss New York was a Caucasian blonde. This year, Miss New York is an Indian-American. Last year, no one thought twice about the race of the newly crowned Miss America. This year, Twitter broke out into a verbal race war because Miss America wasn't "white."

Photo via http://media2.wptv.com//photo/2013/09/16/WPTV-Miss-
America-2013-Nina-Davuluri_20130916062722_320_240.JPG

Several websites started posting stories with screen shots of people's reactions to the new winner:

Photo via http://colorlines.com/archives/2013/09/new_miss_america_faces_harsh_racism.html

When this was brought to my attention, I was shocked. How can people honestly say these things and then go and publish them online? Not only is Miss New York NOT Middle Eastern, this woman is an American citizen. She has worked her tail off to try and get this far to earn a scholarship and the title of Miss America. What makes her less deserving of this award? Her skin color? You guys, it's almost 2014, and you still want to make race an issue?

Shame on you.

If you are human, chances are you have had challenges in your life. Someone has made fun of you. There isn't a single person on this planet who hasn't had someone say something bad about them at some point in their life. And when that person said that mean thing to you, about something you probably couldn't change, how did that make you feel?

Chances are, even if you are as strong as the Hulk, it made you feel sad, or worthless, or like you weren't good enough. I'd have a hard time believing it made you feel like a million bucks.

Now imagine if people were constantly cutting you down because of your skin color, or who you chose to love — two things that you can't change about yourself and leaving you to feel like you're never going to be good enough.

Do you really think that's fair?

If you think that's fair, then it's certainly fair for someone to come into your life, pick you apart like an onion, and point out everything they see as a flaw in your life or your appearance, and tell you you're not good enough, and never will be. You can handle it right? It won't make you mad?

Doubt it.

I don't believe in racism. I don't believe in homophobia. I don't believe in sexism. And I won't stand for discriminatory words towards anyone. I have friends of all backgrounds and each person is unique and has something special to offer. I never thought for a second because they looked different from one of my other friends that, that made them less of a friend to me.

Every child brought into this world deserves a fighting chance, regardless of who they are.

So next time you think about slamming someone for their race, or who they love, or where they come from, think about how you would feel if someone were to say that about you.

It probably wouldn't feel so good.