Last night a beautiful, intelligent and talented woman won Miss America.  She went through preliminaries, swimsuit, evening gown and final question sections with grace and class. She’s a pristine-perfect representation of what we want Miss America to be. What more could you ask for?

Oh, but one thing: she is of Indian descent. And apparently to some, that’s not okay.

How do you define “American?” Does it mean she grew up in the United States and said the pledge of allegiance in school? Does it mean she celebrates the 4th of July with fireworks and beer and BBQ? Does it mean she considers the US to be her home and her country? What is “American?” And why doesn’t Miss Nina Davuluri meet that standard?

America prides itself on being the melting pot of the world. At one point, we all came to the US as immigrants. We all came with dreams of having a better life for ourselves, our families, and our future generations. We live in a society that, for the most part, preaches acceptance of all races, religions and people. We live under the standard of equality for all. Miss Davuluri, her success and her crown, they are nothing but a representation of all we strive for as Americans.

I’ve been fortunate enough in my lifetime to only encounter small instances of racism. A rude name by a stranger, an ignorant comment by a friend, the casual yet constant awareness that I stand out among my caucasian friends – but nothing like the waves of hurtful, hateful comments towards Miss Davuluri. However, I consider every backlash comment towards her one towards me as well – how different am I from her? If she’s no longer considered “American,” am I?

To answer simply: I am a proud American. I have jet black hair and small eyes and to a few, the same ones who only see Nina Davuluri as Indian, I am only Asian. But I assure you that I, as much as our new Miss America, is every bit American as could be expected. I say the pledge of allegiance with pride, I always place my hand over my heart during the national anthem, and I will never stop defending my country and her people. The true American is defined by those who define themselves.

If the backlash against Miss America tells a story of anything, it shows we are still several steps away from where we want to be. It betrays those who claim racism is all but extinct from our society. It reminds us that we are not as perfect a country as we pretend to be. But it doesn’t prove we’ve lost this battle – those who’ve come to Miss America’s defense, who call out the ignorant and push our country forward, they’re the reason we continue to be proud of this country and proud to call ourselves Americans.

And Miss Davuluri, well, she’s why we should be proudest of all.