New Yorker Nina Davuluri was crowned Miss America, being the first woman of Indian decent to earn the title.

Twitter responded in an uproar about the title recipient. Comments arose regarding her race, and vicious attacks including remarks about her being a terrorist, Miss 7-11, and even a few oblivious posters called her Muslim. People felt that Davuluri wasn’t “American” enough for the title.

Really?

It’s 2013, people. We have a black president. What is with this obsession that to be American you must be blonde-haired, blue-eyed and be able to shoot a crossbow? To commit to this ideology, you are viewing the world with blinders. You’re telling people with different ethnic backgrounds that they’re incapable of being American, and that’s just ignorant. It’s a subtle racist agenda that is outdated and repulsive.

The 24-year-old from Fayetteville, New York graduated with honors from the University of Michigan with a degree in brain behavior and cognitive science.

Miss Davuluri, I applaud your recent title. You’re letting girls across the world know that America is a diverse place, and to be an exemplary American isn’t limited to those of Caucasian decent.

I hope to see more diversity in the years to come from the Miss America Pageant. Not because I believe that will somehow offset the historic vision of American beauty, but because I think we owe it to our citizens to accurately represent the country and the beautiful people who call it home.

Amanda Irons can be reached at [email protected].