By John Q. Hosedrinker 
In Minneapolis, a woman faces misdemeanor disorderly conduct charges for allegedly using a racial slur against a Black child at a playground, an incident captured on video. The complaint details the woman’s use of the slur and her subsequent reactions, including admitting to it and using the slur again, and raising over $800,000 on a fundraising platform. The child’s father reported his son is autistic, which explained the incident. The NAACP Rochester chapter had also started fundraising for the family, expressing the need for justice and accountability.
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Minnesota woman charged for using a racial slur against a Black child is the central focus of this truly disheartening situation, and the fact that her fundraising efforts have soared past $800,000 is simply astonishing. It’s a stark reminder of the depths of hate that still exist, and the unexpected ways in which it can be rewarded. This woman, who allegedly directed a racial slur at an eight-year-old autistic Black child, is now potentially going to be able to access funds that most of us can only dream of.
As of Tuesday, the Christian fundraising platform GiveSendGo, has become the vehicle for what appears to be a perverse display of support, with donations continuing even after charges were announced. The stated goal? A cool $1 million. The fact that this is happening through a platform that promotes itself as Christian is a bitter irony. It really does make you question the values being upheld, and just what constitutes a “Christian” value in this context. It’s also infuriating to see the woman, who was recorded admitting to the incident and providing a shockingly flippant justification for it, attempt to portray herself as a victim of “silly misinformation.” This is despite the fact that the confrontation was captured on video.
The details of the incident are particularly unsettling. The child, who had inadvertently picked up an apple sauce that wasn’t his, was chased by the woman who then launched the racial epithet. When confronted, she doubled down, directing the same slur towards the person who recorded the event. Her response was defiant, suggesting a complete lack of remorse. This is what is getting rewarded.
The outrage here is multifaceted. Obviously, there is the initial act of racism, the open expression of hate toward a child. Then there’s the subsequent support, fueled by what appears to be a community that embraces, rather than condemns, this sort of behavior. And finally, there’s the sheer audacity of it all – the belief that one can get away with such appalling conduct and even profit from it. This is just a clear display that there are some folks who are just willing to fund racism if it is being challenged.
It’s hard to fathom the logic behind such a response, but it’s sadly not surprising. It is not a shocker that the woman’s defense has been so publicly supported by a significant fundraising total. A person’s views are being rewarded with almost a million dollars of funding. In a sense, this situation feels like an absurd parody of the principles of the First Amendment, which protects freedom of speech. This is not about free speech; it’s about the weaponization of hate and the financial rewards it can bring.
The discussion of the First Amendment brings to mind the legal gray area of hate speech. While the First Amendment protects free speech, there are limitations when it comes to incitement of violence, defamation, and other types of speech that cause harm. The fact that this woman has been charged implies that her actions have crossed the line. It’s important to remember that the law is not always able to keep up with the evolving landscape of hate, and sometimes, the best defense against it is strong social condemnation.
The legal ramifications are also an open question. This is, most likely, going to be a long and costly legal process. If she is convicted, she could face jail time, and perhaps other penalties. It’s hard to imagine the legal fees she will incur in fighting these charges. And yet, even a conviction may not deter the people who have donated to her.
The outpouring of support for her, along with the seeming lack of concern for the child, and the broader community of people of color, is a clear indication of just how deep-seated the issue of racism is. If there is some small bit of hope to take from this, it’s the fact that the vast majority of people don’t see this kind of behavior as acceptable.
The question of whether the platform itself can take any action to mitigate the damage of this campaign also looms large. Could the funds be blocked? Would the money get returned? These are all questions that remain to be answered.
The very existence of this fundraising campaign is a sign of the times, but it is also a call to action. This situation should prompt us to question the values of those who support her, and what actions can be taken to counter the rise of hate and bigotry. It is a reminder that the fight against racism is ongoing, and that we must remain vigilant in protecting the rights and dignity of all people.