Texas woman running for governor, Kelly Smith, is now facing intense online scrutiny after she stoked anti-Indian sentiment with a social media post that has now gone viral.
In the post, Kelly Smith can be seen wearing Indian clothing against a temple background, writing on X: “Because Indian people said they were as American as me, I decided to become Indian. My new name is Pria; however, I will eat burgers at Temple and wear boots because I can’t give up my Texas culture. We are all like we should all become Indian my new name and grill steaks at Temple.”
Kelly Smith’s anti-India stance
When her artificial intelligence (AI) generated image went viral and drew a lot of backlash from the Indian community already targeted in the state, Smith wrote in another post: “Guys are getting SO offended by a funny pic of me grilling burgers, which TEXANS do. Imagine how Texans feel when you guys don’t respect it, here in real life you respect it. statues and fruit in our lakes is for much more offensive to us than some stupid AI photo we are getting tired of seeing on every corner of every new mall, this is not INDIA!She shared a picture of Indians in Dallas celebrating Chhath Puja along with the post.
This is not Smith’s first post highlighting her anti-India stance. From reposting tweets suggesting visas for all Indians and Africans should be revoked to sharing videos of New Zealanders protesting against Sikhs, she has made her stance very clear. Reposting a protest in New Zealand, where a local group stood up to a Sikh community parade and used banners such as “This is New Zealand, not India,” Smith wrote, “Texans, it seems, aren’t the only ones getting tired of it.”
Kelly Smith is running for governor of Texas
Smith, who is reportedly running for governor of Texas this November, has started a GoFundMe fundraiser. According to her fundraiser, Kelly Smith has declared herself a candidate for change. A candidate whose name does not appear on the printed ballot and voters are required to write it in by hand. As of May 9, she had raised $920 and received 14 donations.
Aware that her re-election bid is a long shot, Smith wrote on her fundraising page: “My name is Kelly Smith and I am a lifelong Texan. I grew up in Cedar Hill. I believe in America and I believe Texas belongs to Texans. Let’s come together and put my name on the ballot for governor as a contribution this November.”
But it seems she has chosen a sure way to get her campaigns noticed by using anti-India sentiments. This comes as US President Donald Trump’s administration has stepped up its crackdown on immigrants and emphasized the need to apparently give back to Americans the jobs that immigrants are allegedly taking.
