“Such a great country that allows you to be here.”
Those are the words that White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer offered up to a woman confronting him in an Apple store. She asked him questions such as, “How does it feel to work for a fascist?” and, “Have you committed treason, too?”
What remains unknown, however, is whether Spicer was making a comment about her right to free speech or making a comment geared towards her race.
So, let’s take a look at both scenarios.
If it was a jeer at her right to free speech, then he doesn’t have a soap box to stand on. The definition of the freedom of speech, in its purest form, is the right to ask questions and express oneself without censorship. After all, Spicer’s job is defending President Trump’s freedom of speech on a daily basis.
However, if it is a jeer at her race, then we have a serious problem. The woman who filmed him, Shree Chauhan, is an Indian-American woman. As in, she is of Indian descent, but was born in America.
Since when did the United States “allow” naturally-born citizens to reside within its borders?
And, to top it all off, her Twitter feed is not only becoming a testament to her strength and confidence as a young natural citizen of the U.S., it is also becoming a testament to why it is so important for the President of the United States to openly denounce things such as misogyny and racism.
Just, take a look at what is being openly said to this young woman:
This is what happens when a presidential administration, like Trump’s, acts the way it does. It suddenly becomes acceptable to dehumanize others. It suddenly becomes acceptable to attack and harass others. It suddenly becomes acceptable to put yourself on a pedestal above others because you have initiated your worth through your ancestors instead of taking your own life and doing something substantial with it.
But, it’s during these times that the truth shines brighter than the darkness that tries to overcome it.
Many criticised @shreec for not being 'polite' in asking him questions. Let me ask you this? Are they polite when they dehumanize us?
— Rusul الربيعي ✊? (@RusulAlrubail) March 13, 2017
No one is allowing her to be here. She is a natural-born citizen of the United States, and will always be a citizen of this country. No one has the right to strip her of her right to free speech when Spicer defends the disgusting free speech of Trump every single day. The only thing this video serves to prove is this: Obama’s administration took so many forward steps for the inclusiveness of all that the Republican Party feels the need to double back purely to save face. God forbid they should ever look at another human being who isn’t white and male and see them as an equal.
And I get it, not all Republicans feel that way. But here is the issue: that is the only voice shouting loud enough to be heard in their party. You cannot sit there and complain about being misrepresented and then shut your mouth when it comes time to scream.
It doesn’t work that way.
When white conservative men are assholes, that's "straight talk." When others challenge them, that's "rude and unprofessional."
— BlueCerealEducation (@BlueCerealEduc) March 13, 2017
I couldn’t have said it better myself.
People are angry that she didn’t treat Spicer with respect. She is angry because Trump’s administration, which includes Spicer, isn’t treating anyone with respect, except of course, rich, white MEN.
But hey, who’s keeping score?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qP5BtENQcOA
Featured image courtesy of YouTube video.
