If you haven’t heard the news, Nina Davuluri, the recent winner of the 2014 Miss America Pageant, is:

a) an Arab

b) a foreigner 

c) an al-Qaeda affiliate

d) a terrorist

- all according to irate Miss America fans on twitter who were quick to denounce a woman of color for being crowned Miss America.  

Some were quite blunt in their disapproval: 

How the f*** does a foreigner win miss America?  She is a Arab! #idiots

(Apparently, anger impede’s one’s ability to use correct grammar)

And others were appalled that our nation could crown an American of Indian descent, so soon after the 12th anniversary of 9/11:

nice slap in the face to the people of 9-11 how pathetic #missamerica

Upon further investigation, it appears that more accepting Americans gave the above user a lesson in virtue of tolerance, causing her to deactivate her twitter.

*BuzzFeed has compiled some of the most appalling tweets here.

Stephen Colbert’s response to the onslaught of ignorance was particularly priceless:

“That’s right. Seven hundred and five people saw a woman in a bikini and thought: Muslim Extremist.”

 Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/stephen-colbert-reacts-to-indian-miss-america-2013-9#ixzz2fNBTOkHP

Ms. Davuluri is the first contestant of Indian descent to be crowned Miss America, but not the first minority.  Unfortunately, in the post-9/11 era, Indians who have immigrated to America, as well as Americans of Indian descent, have suffered as a result of both the geographical and cultural ignorance of self-proclaimed “patriots.”  

Acts of revenge aimed at Arabs and Muslims have increasingly burdened members of the Sikh faith, a religion that was founded in the 15th century in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent, which is in no way connected to the Muslim faith.

Sikh men adhere to an article of faith, “Kesh,” which is the practice of allowing one’s hair to grow naturally as a symbol of respect for the perfection of God’s creation.  The dastar (turban) they were is also an article faith that embodies honor, piety, and self-respect.

The unfortunate reality remains that because of crude stereotypes of Muslims, Arabs, and in a broader sense, those responsible for 9/11- Sikhs have been assaulted and murdered.  They have had their property vandalized, and their temples burned.  

While there are those of us who congratulate Nina Davuluri and accept her for who she is, there will always be those who do not.  We cannot, however, simply overlook the racist, hateful, prejudiced rhetoric expressed by those who do not.  

As we have been so tragically reminded by the deaths of innocent Arabs, Indians, Pakistanis, and Afghans from 9/11 revenge attacks- thoughts become one’s words, and one’s words become one’s actions.