It’s not that the Miss America Pageant is the pinnacle of American culture, but the program Sunday night showed that the event was truly more than a beauty contest.
Miss Kansas, who unfortunately didn’t break into the top five, was a veteran, sported a tattoo and enjoyed hunting. She also sang an opera aria.
The winner was Miss New York Nina Davuluri. An American of Indian descent, she’s the first Indian-American to be crowned Miss America.
The 24-year-old Davuluri, who’s from Syracuse, competed on a platform of “Celebrating Diversity through Cultural Competency.” For the talent portion, she performed a classical Indian dance mixed with Bollywood moves.
Cool. The pageant is finally starting to reflect this nation and its rich multi-cultural fabric.
But, no sooner had she been crowned than flowed a flood of racist tweets.
• “If you’re #Miss America you should have to be American.”
• “WHEN WILL A WHITE WOMAN WIN #MISSAMERICA? Ever??!!” 
• “Well they just picked a Muslim for Miss America. That must’ve made Obama happy. Maybe he had a vote,” vented one person.
 Not that it bears pointing out, but Davuluri’s not a Muslim – and the president didn’t have a vote.
• “Miss America? You mean Miss 7-11,” perpetuating the stereotype about Indians and convenience stores.
As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s touchstone “I have a dream” speech, we are lulled into believing we in America have overcome racial hatreds. We have come a long ways, but much remains to be done.
When more and more of our cultural events incorporate those of different races, perhaps these bigoted ideals will fade to the waste can, where they belong.
Dale Hogg