On Fox, Indian-American Miss America Brushes Off Racism Directed at Her

Nina Davuluri, the first woman of Indian descent to be crowned Miss America, appeared on Fox & Friends on Wednesday where she dismissed the hatred and racism directed at her after her victory. She said that her program of promoting diversity and “cultural competency” is aimed at combating exactly the kind of ignorance aimed at her.

“You, actually, were at the center of a Twitter tirade by some,” said Elisabeth Hasselbeck.

“It was an unfortunate experience,” Davuluri conceded. She added that, for every negative comment she received “dozens” of positive comments followed.

“They were aimed at your heritage, correct?” Hasselbeck asked

“And your religion, and your race, and everything,” Steve Doocy clarified.

“And a lot of that stemmed from ignorance,” Davuluri clarified. “And that’s why my platform is so timely right now.” She said that she is promoting, as Miss America, “celebrating diversity through cultural competency.”

RELATED: ‘She’s a Terrorist’: Many Upset That Indian-American Woman Won ‘Miss America’ Pageant

“What does it mean for you in terms of pride in your background,” Brian Kilmeade asked of Davuluri’s crowning.

“I have always

viewed Miss America as the girl next door,” she said. “But, for me, the girl next door is evolving as the diversity in America evolves.”

Davuluri said that she is proud to be able to demonstrate for women of various backgrounds and faiths that anything is possible in America.

Watch the segment below via Fox News Channel:

[Photo via screen grab]

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