A video showing a woman repeatedly using the N-word in California’s Pinole has sparked outrage across the community and has attracted the attention of both the police and local leaders.
The incident occurred in a public parking lot in downtown Pinole on Sunday afternoon. In the video, the woman is heard hurling racial slurs at another woman. The argument culminates with the woman shouting, “Get outta my face, you f***ing n****".
She then goes on to insult her appearance further by saying “fake a** eyelashes".
The woman using the slurs has since taken down some of her social media accounts, US-based local broadcaster KTVU said.
The recipient of the racist rant, who chose to remain anonymous, told KTVU that she was targeted for no apparent reason. “It’s quite unfortunate the verbiage she was using. It’s unacceptable," she said. “I don’t understand why she was using it towards anybody in public. She’s obviously not supposed to be using that type of vulgar language".
Pinole police spoke to both women involved.
Pinole police have classified the incident as a hate incident, and it is now under investigation by the department’s criminal investigation bureau. “Due to the nature of the verbal exchange between the involved parties, the incident is being treated seriously," the department stated.
Felicia Carr of Fairfield, who reposted the video on social media, helped identify the woman using the slurs.
“It’s really disheartening. We’re living in some very trying times," Carr said. “With tensions so high and racism at an all-time peak, it was just so much racism and blatant disrespect. It was sad to see," she further added.
The mother of the woman who hurled the racial slurs expressed deep distress while speaking to the California-based broadcaster.
The woman accused of using the racial slurs also has a pending criminal case for multiple thefts at Ulta Beauty in Concord, the broadcaster said. The manager of a nearby restaurant told KTVU the woman had been a customer but was no longer welcome after the incident.
The exact cause of the argument remains unclear. No details have emerged regarding what led to the disagreement.
Carr emphasized, “It does not matter what the context was. It was out of line. It doesn’t matter what transpired before."
Pinole Mayor Cameron Sasai expressed his outrage, saying, “Seeing the footage, I’m disturbed. I’m outraged. The use of racial slurs, especially anti-Black rhetoric, is not welcome anywhere—especially in the city of Pinole."
While the use of the N-word has a long and deeply painful history rooted in racial oppression, its contemporary use remains a significant issue. The word is an embodiment of racial hatred and discrimination, and its casual use perpetuates negative stereotypes and maintains an atmosphere of hostility. The N-word is particularly offensive to the African American community, where it is seen as a reminder of the brutal history of slavery and segregation.
Source: News18
