On Sunday, September 15, 2013, history was made. For the first time, a young woman of Indian heritage was crowned Miss America. 24-year-old Nina Davuluri, Miss New York, accepted the crown from the former Miss New York and Miss America, Mallory Hagan. Many controversies stemmed from this monumental crowning.
The first debate was a fiery two-sided argument on Twitter: some people tweeting negative comments regarding Davuluri’s ethnicity, and those combating these negative comments and supporting Davuluri. Tweeters opposing the winner went so far as to comment that the new Miss America was “not American enough” and that she “looks like a terrorist.” In response to such tweets, Nina Davuluri said, “”I always viewed myself as first and foremost American” (foxnews.com).
America is a country of diversity, filled with various races and ethnicities. An American with an Indian ethnicity is an American all the same, and Nina Davuluri deserved the crowning as much as the other women in regards to ethnic background.
Another controversy that has been around for a while is the value of the Miss America pageant and the effects it has on females. Women are awarded money for being beautiful and fit. Many people wonder how the images of these “perfect” women are influencing young girls and women. Watching this pageant causes many girls to ponder if they too should be thinner, or if they should wear more make-up and hairspray.
Many females only focus on the appearance aspect of the Miss America pageant, but tend to forget that talent and intelligence are also included. The contestants are often in college or have graduated, and often are aiming to earn or have achieved earning a high degree. Many of the women are also passionate about philanthropy. The “perfect” bodies are not intended to make girls think, “I need to be slimmer,” but instead, they are meant to embrace fitness and health. The only problem is that some bodies may still be very healthy without looking like the bodies of the Miss America contestants.
All in all, the controversies surrounding this pageant are likely to linger for weeks, months, and even years to come. Knowing your morals, beliefs, and having well-informed opinions will help you to choose where you stand in these Miss America debates or any other controversial matters.