What would you do if you came face to face with Sean Spicer? That's what happened to Shree Chauhan, who happened to run into Donald Trump's Press Secretary during a chance encounter at the Apple Store.
Sean Spicer, Trump press secretary, confronted in Apple store
Chauhan, who is Indian American, seized the rare opportunity to ask Spicer some questions about his and the Trump administration's actions, outside the guarded environment of the White House Press Room. Spicer responded to her questioning by telling her with a smile, "Such a great country that allows you to be here."
Asking @PressSec questions in Apple Store since he doesn't like the press. https://t.co/l493z2gG4x
— Shree ✊🏾❤️🇺🇸 (@shreec) March 11, 2017
The implication of this comment, of course, is that Chauhan is somehow less entitled to exist in these United States, based on the press secretary's snap assessment of her and -- let's be honest -- her nonwhiteness. Her citizenship is questionable and conditional. She is here because someone allowed her to be here.
Play the video again. Pay attention to what HE says. @PressSec said I am "allowed" here. Like I'm not a citizen. An implied threat. https://t.co/r9tvFkW7hS
— Shree ✊🏾❤️🇺🇸 (@shreec) March 12, 2017
Chauhan, who, by the way, was born in the United States, said she was astounded by the remark.
"It's one thing to have a Twitter egg tell say you do not belong in America, it is quite another to have the Press Secretary of the United States of America do so," Chauhan writes. "I am still astounded. And while I am fearless, I wonder how this administration will use its power to silence ordinary people like me."
More here: Such a Great Country, Such Nasty Bigotry
