I love the "bystander principle" and how it's universally applicable. (to sum it up, in lots of situations there are people who are not directly involved - but have the opportunity to use their voice to speak against something that is unjust. And sometimes, the voice of a bystander has more power (or lets say, at least different power) than someone directly involved in the situation since it can't be said that the bystander "has a chip on his/her shoulder." and sometimes when it is easy to ignore the voices of those directly involved in a situation, the voice of a bystander can be heard saying the hard truth.
I love it when other people stand up for me so I don't have to. I mean, I'll continue to "fight the battles" that need to be fought...but when someone else goes to bat for me - it is so affirming, and freeing. who doesn't love it when someone else "goes to bat" for them? really? it's such a gift.
i realize i'm a bit late to the party (thanks to a busy week, and broken internet) but i still want to use my voice regarding the Nina Davuluri being crowned Miss America 2014 (those of you who know me would know that a beauty pageant is really the last topic of conversation that I'd, generally, choose to engage in - but i believe this is important. important enough to write a blog a week after the "social media storm" has died down).
You see, as a Caucasian American, with a thick Michigan accent, my "American-ness" is never questioned. For better and worse, I am American...i can be loud in restaurants, my Kiwi friends often make fun of my nasal Michigan accent (and it's okay, cause they're right), and I have the unquenchable desire to "figure it out" or "make it better" and to answer that crazy question "why" - partially because I am American. And while i know America is far from perfect, there are some things i love about America. I love that we are a melting pot. I love that we can learn from other cultures, and adopt traditions/ideas/wisdom from other cultures. I love that when people ask what sort of "American food" i love i end up listing food from all over the world that has been adopted as American. I love that we ask "why" and try to innovate and understand. I love that (theoretically) anyone could become an American (regardless of where they were born) I love that we are a country founded on freedom (of religion), and that we believe in equality...that, while we may not always do a good job of "living it out" America was founded with the notion that: "all men are created equal that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." and as far as i can tell...none of these things have to do with the color of a person's skin.
So it makes me sad (and mad) to have seen tweets, and articles, and messages narrowly defining "American values" or inappropriately making accusations about political or religious beliefs based on one's heritage or color of skin. that is not the definition of "American Values" that i subscribe to. On top of that, I was raised to believe that it is never appropriate to make judgments about a person based on the color of their skin.
I know that i don't like it when "the shoe is on the other foot." I don't like it when assumptions are made about me because i happen to have white skin while living in a country where that is uncommon. I don't like it when assumptions are made about my faith, or political beliefs based on what they've seen on TV or in movies or in the news, and i don't like it when people assume that because i look different i don't understand, or belong in a culture that i have made my home. i don't like it when judgements are made about me based only on my appearance. (who does?!)
And i know that i am not perfect. I know that i don't always live this out well either. I am not immune to hate, or judgement or racism. I know that, at times, my heart can be dark and full of hate. but then again, no one is perfect, and no one is immune...and if we waited for that voice, we'd all be waiting a very long time.
So, while i know very little about Nina Davuluri, nor will I (because, like i said before, Miss America Pageants aren't something i'm "in to" at all...i'll just trust that the judges did a good job and picked the "right" Miss America based on their system of judging), I do affirm her value as a human being (cause let's not forget we're first and foremost talking about a human being...whose life has value simply because she is alive), and I celebrate her "American-ness" and will choose "her side" every time a judgment is made about her based on her heritage.
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