Pennsylvania Lt. governor’s wife called N-word during grocery store run
'I love love love this country but we are so deeply divided,' said Second Lady Gisele Barreto Fetterman.
Gisele Barreto Fetterman, the second lady of Pennsylvania and wife of Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman, was accosted by a racist white woman while buying groceries on Sunday.
Fetterman shared a video of the harrowing encounter on social media, noting that the incident occurred during a store run to buy some kiwis. According to a Washington Post report, state troopers usually accompany Fetterman when running errands, but on this particular day, she chose to go herself.
Fetterman claims the irate woman recognized her while she was shopping and began to verbally attack her.
Read More: Yelp adds alert to notify of racist behavior on business reviews
“She said, ‘There’s that n-word that Fetterman married. You don’t belong here. No one wants you here. You don’t belong here,'” Barreto told the publication.
When the rude woman followed Fetterman out to the parking lot, she captured some of her racist remarks on her cell phone camera –including being called the N-word. It’s worth noting that Fetterman is of Brazilian descent. Watch the moment via the Twitter video below.
Fetterman shared footage of the encounter on Twitter, along with the caption: “I love love love this country but we are so deeply divided. I ran to the local grocery store and was met by and verbally assaulted by this woman who repeatedly told me I do not belong here,” she wrote.
In a follow-up tweet, she added, “This behavior and this hatred is taught. If you know her, if she is your neighbor or relative, please, please teach her love instead.”
The Pennsylvania State Police have identified the woman in the video and are reportedly investigating.
Read More: Parents: Online learning program has racist, sexist content
“Today at the grocery store, PA’s Second Lady @giselefetterman was subjected to a racial slur and taunts. As she said: ‘this hatred is taught.’ It’s on us to teach our children kindness, acceptance and inclusion, and condemn hate whenever and wherever we see it,” Sen. Robert P. Casey Jr. (D-Pa.) wrote on Twitter.
Fetterman has been subjected to hateful comments online and in emails, but said Sunday was her first in-person encounter with a hater.
“I have had a good amount of hate toward me,” she said. “I have learned to get used to them and the right thing to say. It’s become normal for me. It’s never been to my face in public. No one is immune to that.”
Fetterman married the lieutenant governor in 2008 and they have three children. The racist attack on her comes as President Donald Trump and his Democratic opponent Joe Biden target Pennsylvania as the most vital battleground in next month’s election.
Have you subscribed to theGrio’s podcast “Dear Culture”? Download our newest episodes now!
TheGrio is now on Apple TV, Amazon Fire, and Roku. Download theGrio today!
