Texas woman Kelly Smith posts an AI-generated photo to mock Indians and says her new name is Pria.
A Texas woman who claims to be running for the Texas governor election stoked some fresh anti-India sentiments as she ‘decided to become an Indian’ as all Indians, she said, have been claiming to be just as “American as me”. Posting a photo of her in an Indian attire in front of a temple background, she said her new name is Pria. “I will be eating hamburgers at Temple and wearing shoes because I can’t give up my Texan culture. I’m just as Indian as y’all, my new name proves it. In fact, we should all become Indian and grill some steaks at temple. Thanks,” Kelly wrote.As the AI photo drew a major backlash from the Indian community that already became a target in the state, Kelly added: “You guys are getting SO offended by a joke photo of me grilling burgers which is what TEXANS do. Imagine how Texans feel about you guys not respecting it here in real life. Get off your high horse. True Texans are raised to respect our nature and not litter. Putting milk, statues and fruit in our lakes is far more insulting to us than some stupid AI photo. Texans are tired of seeing India stores pop up on every corner, every new shopping center around here is Indian!! This isn’t INDIA! It’s insulting to us,” Kelly added.While Texas has no dearth of India-hating Americans, Kelly Smith says she is a write-in candidate for the Governor election this November. A write-in candidate is one whose name does not appear on the printed ballot and the voters have to manually write the name. She has a fundraiser campaign which has only 14 donations so far and she is aware that her contesting the election is a long shot but follows the sure-shot way on social media to gain attention — spreading anti-India hatred.“My name is Kelly Smith, and I’m a lifelong Texan. I grew up in Cedar Hill. I believe in America, and I believe Texas belongs to Texans. Let’s band together, and I will add my name to the ballot for Governor as a write-in this November. It’s a long shot, but Texas is worth saving,” her fundraiser says.
Poll
Do you believe that using cultural appropriation for political gain is acceptable?
