It takes years of living and maturity to throw this training away and accept beauty as in the person and not the appearance of that person. If this is true, then why are all of us so surprised at the reaction to Nina Davuluri’s crowning as Ms. America?
What is America and what does it mean to be American? I can’t speak for all, but as a brown immigrant to this country, in my opinion, The USA is the only country where a girl of Indian descent could have won a national beauty pageant. And the people of America should be very proud of that. As a country its very foundation is the assimilation of different cultures that has allowed it to widen its thinking and broaden its horizons.
Assimilation or integrating in the US culture, does not mean forgetting ones heritage. It simply means accepting the best of both world and building upon their existing values. It is the values that keeps it together. I have lived for 10 years in the heartland of American, the midwest. I was the only brown girl in a tiny little town of Greensburg, IN. Yes, they asked me questions about the “dot” Indians wear, the henna we apply and one elderly gentleman even asked me “why do Indian women walk behind men.?” Now it was up to me, to either feel offended and angry or use this opportunity to be the ambassador to my country and take away this ignorance. I chose the latter. I gave a brief cultural lesson and ended it by saying, India is one of the few countries in the world to have a women Prime Minister. Few weeks later, when I met him taking a stroll in our appartment complex, he told me, that he had borrowed a book on India from the library and is enjoying reading it. For me, it was a proud moment.
In that tiny town where no one knew anything about India, I chose to wear my traditional outfits and went out for a Pizza. I didn’t get any funny glances, only compliments. The point is when we look for differentiation we find it. I was dressed differently, but I was emitting the same core values my American neighbors did. And that is what makes America the country it is.
Ever wondered, why people want to and come to America? There are so many of us who love fashion and art and dream of going to Paris, but have u ever said to yourself, I want to be a Parisian, OR there are so many of us who are intrigued by the history and richness of India, but how many people from around the globe run and come to India to make it their home. America is unique, simply because it was not found, it was made. It was made with the simple idea that all men are equal and they can dream without any fear. This has been my key takeaway of living in this country for almost two decades now.
US is changing, not because immigration laws are liberal, but because its a very young country compared to the rest of the world. Its capability to adapt and swiftly react to the changing environment is much faster than its peers. The country is agile. With agility comes speed, with speed comes the desire to move and explore, with exploration comes new ideas and ideas bring change.
Nina’s victory symbolizes this change. As she has so aptly said, “Ms. America is about the girl next door and that girl next door is evolving.” She looks different, but embraces the same values as any other American; be bold, be confident and follow your dreams.
As we move forward, the typical image of “a beautiful girl” is going to transition. For some she will continue to be the fair Rapunzel, for others she might be the dusky Princess Tiana and for others she might be the brave Mulan.
 |
| The future will not be black and white, its going to be bright and colorful. The colors are finally blending to create a beautiful picture. What do you think? |
Well written post Shilpa.
Nina is a strong, intelligent and graceful girl with her accomplishments and vision speaking much more than her skin color. Irrespective of which country – India or America, that is the only yard stick women should be measured against.
To that point, it does not matter if Sushmita Sen, Lara Dutta or Priyanka Chopra are fair now, when they were selected, they raised up for more than their fairness and in later years if they choose to go fair, it is their personal choice. The fact is that they did become beauty queens while they were not as fair.
In my experience, there are benchmarks set for each selection process e.g. one needs to be 5’3″ to be in Air NCC and it is preferable to enroll students from Physics, Math, Engineering since they will be able to grasp the technicalities of modeling, flying, problem solving. In my interview I was rejected for being short, under-weight and from being Fine Art major – least disciplined and least logical major to be a good fit. They were candid to tell me why I was being rejected to which I responded back which impressed them and I was given a chance. It was my effort and ability that allowed me to rise in the ranks in 3 years to be able lead and represent Gujarat team in nationals. At each test, each selection, each competition, my selection for questioned and each time I was given an opportunity to prove myself. I distinctly remember and feel grateful for each of those individuals at every level, contingent, regional, state and national level for people who gave me a chance and were glad they did.
I feel nostalgic but the point is that we as women have to feel comfortable in who we are, confident in our abilities and do not let norms stop you from setting your own goals.
Good point Dolly. The key is they did get selected for who they are, but the fairer concept did get to them.
And Air NCC.. thats very impressive, but I am not surprised. You are an excellent Team leader.
Thanks for broaching the subject!
What was the hoopla about? It was not about color, it was about the back drop of Nina’s ethnicity, confused by the bundling of regions marked as unsavory. Wrong even then, but that’s the limitation that holds them back.
Yes her color did draw attention to ask where her lineage hailed from, but it was not about color that was objectionable. We have had several colored Miss. America’s! Cheers to that! Pageants have been won both at state as well as national level by those of color.
Geographically prejudices is what brought upon the dismay, not to say that’s acceptable. Surely it’s the tunneled view of those who view the outside of here as aliens. I do blame history taught in school for that frog in the well perspective of the world outside. Too bad the term “All American” is not that encompassing after all! In which case Miss. America should be Pocahontas!! …the true Native American!! Now I sound bias don’t I? ;)!
These will be the very people to smear a contestant if she were gay. No one in history who has attained fame is without blemish, though sometimes self-inflicted but mostly tagged by others. Go Nina!!