Sadly, for many people of color, going out in public often comes with the expectation that they may encounter racism at some point. In recent years, especially following the political climate shaped by Donald Trump and his rhetoric, many individuals seem increasingly emboldened to openly display hostility toward those they view as different. One such incident reportedly took place at Donericks Bar in Worthington, involving a Black Ohio woman who was subjected to racist harassment while simply trying to enjoy her evening.
According to accounts shared online, the situation began when the Ohio woman sat near a white man at the Worthington bar. The man took issue with her presence, claiming that she was “in his face,” despite there being ample space between them. The issue appeared to stem from the fact that the Ohio woman dared to sit near him at all.
As tensions rose, the Ohio woman began recording the interaction on her phone. Rather than de-escalating, the man responded with aggressive gestures, including repeatedly showing the middle finger and shouting racial slurs. He openly stated that he did not care that he was being recorded. While frustrating, this response reflects a broader concern many people have raised online: that public acts of racism no longer seem to carry the same social consequences they once did.
At one point, another woman, believed to be staff at the Worthington bar, intervened. She attempted to shut down the interaction, telling them that “we’re not doing this” and that she did not want either of them involved in a confrontation. Despite this intervention, the white man continued to make rude gestures toward the Ohio woman as she continued recording.
The situation escalated further when the man attempted to continue placing his order at the bar. This deeply upset the Ohio woman, who felt it was unacceptable that staff had not immediately removed him despite his blatant racist behavior. From her perspective, it appeared that he was being given leniency because of his race and privilege. Staff at the Worthington bar attempted to intervene again, urging both parties to stop engaging, but the exchange devolved into shouting.
As the atmosphere grew increasingly heated, Worthington bar staff finally took decisive action and instructed the man to leave. Although he allowed himself to be escorted out, witnesses report that he continued to threaten the Ohio woman and hurl slurs at her even as he exited the bar.
Online reactions to the incident were swift and emotional. Many viewers expressed outrage and disgust at the man’s behavior. “I wonder who he voted for?” one user commented. Another replied, “Someone felonious I bet.”
Others reflected more broadly on the mindset behind such actions. “He lives a lonely, hateful life. The next morning he woke up and was still himself. I take comfort knowing people like that are doomed to die alone. Just another toe tag. Probably wonders why his children and grandchildren want nothing to do with him,” one user wrote.
Some commenters also criticized the Worthington bar for not removing the man immediately. “Wait! What!? I’m only halfway through this video, but my first thought is why hasn’t he been kicked out of the restaurant? They should refuse to serve him. She’s only separating him, and that’s confusing to me,” another user said.
