ATLANTIC CITY — Nina Davuluri became the first contestant of Indian heritage and the second consecutive contestant from New York to win the Miss America pageant Sunday night. The 24-year-old Davuluri won the title as the nationally televised pageant returned home to Atlantic City. In a press conference after winning the title, the Syracuse native who wants to become a doctor said she's glad children watching the pageant "can finally relate to a new Miss America." But racist slurs abounded on Twitter over the win by Davuluri, who performed a classical Bollywood fusion dance for the talent portion of the competition. Many wrongly described the beauty queen, who is believed to be a practicing Hindu, as an Arab who looks like a terrorist. A user with the handle @emi_adkins said "It's called Miss America. Get outta here New York you look like a terrorist. #bye #americanforamerica." Lue Brasili exclaimed "9/11 was 4 days ago and she gets miss America," while user Karl Sharro said "Al-Qaeda influenced the liberal judges." Others, like the Jezebel feminist blog, denounced the comments, saying "racists are being racist because Miss America isn't white." "This world is so ignorant. #MissAmerica Indian or not had every right to gain the title of MissAmerica. This is why I want to leave America!" chimed in @CJlovebug. Davuluri competed on the platform issue of "celebrating diversity through cultural competency."— AP
