A brief but explosive encounter in Monroe, Washington, is rippling across social media, after an Amazon delivery driver recorded himself explaining what happened moments after a white cyclist spat on him during his route, an act widely recognized as assault under the law.
The video, originally posted to Instagram (but we’ve provided a Reddit embed so you can view here), shows the Black delivery driver calmly recounting the incident while filming the aftermath. Off to the side, the cyclist appears shaken, tending to himself as a nearby dog walker attempts to reframe the situation, subtly suggesting the delivery driver was somehow at fault. Viewers weren’t buying it, though; as one comment summed up:
“He got what he DESERVED!”
According to the driver, the encounter began without provocation. He was working, making deliveries, when the cyclist crossed a line that most people agree should never be crossed. Spitting, particularly in a racially charged confrontation, is criminal. The driver responded in the moment, later emphasizing that while he doesn’t advocate for escalation, he wasn’t willing to accept that kind of degradation either.
Instagram users quickly labeled the incident as what they felt it was: a racist act with consequences. Commenters overwhelmingly supported the driver, pointing out that had the roles been reversed, the narrative might have shifted instantly. Many stressed that “turning the other cheek” is an unrealistic expectation when someone is openly disrespected, especially while on the job.
Others highlighted a familiar pattern: bystanders eager to lecture the person reacting, while minimizing or outright ignoring the initial offense. The dog walker’s commentary in the video became a focal point, with users accusing her of trying to “change the narrative” rather than acknowledge the seriousness of spitting on someone.
There was also strong solidarity from fellow delivery drivers, who used the moment to spotlight the daily pressures of the job: long hours, unsafe conditions, hostile drivers, and a lack of basic respect. To them, this wasn’t just about one man in Monroe. It was about a workforce routinely treated as disposable, expected to absorb mistreatment in silence because they’re wearing a uniform.
Legally speaking, commenters were quick to note that spitting constitutes assault in many jurisdictions. Morally, they argued, it’s one of the clearest forms of personal disrespect. As one user put it bluntly, people don’t get to provoke others and then claim victimhood when reality responds.
To be clear, violence is never the ideal outcome, and two wrongs don’t magically make a right. But the internet is calling this what it looks like: a FAFO moment, an ugly reminder that racist behavior doesn’t exist in a vacuum, and that dignity has limits.
Judging by the cyclist’s condition and the online response, many believe a lesson was learned that day on a quiet Washington street: you don’t get to dehumanize someone and walk away unchanged.
