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ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — The selection of a women of Indian heritage as the new Miss America has ignited a storm of controversy after hate-filled, racist messages were posted on Twitter.

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Moments after winning the 2014 crown, Nina Davuluri described how delighted she is that the nearly century-old pageant sees beauty and talent of all kinds.

“I’m so happy this organization has embraced diversity,” she said in her first press conference after winning the crown in Atlantic City, New Jersey’s Boardwalk Hall. “I’m thankful there are children watching at home who can finally relate to a new Miss America.”

But the 24-year-old was forced to dive headfirst into the challenges of becoming the first American of Indian heritage to win the pageant after social media users voiced their displeasure.

“I have to rise above that,” said Davuluri. “I always viewed myself as first and foremost American.”

Many of the tweets — and apparently whole Twitter accounts in some instances — have been deleted after various media outlets, including Buzzfeed and the Daily Mail,posted scathing compilations of offensive comments about Davuluri.