A boutique in California is seeing support online after sharing a video on TikTok of a hateful letter they received about the mural decorating their store.
Posted by the official TikTok for Rise & Redemption Boutique, the owner writes: “When being a diverse business in a small town goes wrong… We got this in the mail today.”
In their TikTok video, they show the disturbing and racist letter itself: “Your ‘mural’ looks horrible please remove it. It looks like graffiti from a Mexican ghetto.”
The owner then shows the mural in question, a vibrant collage of nature—flowers, butterflies, and shapes wrapping around the boutique’s door. The video makes it clear the artist was exceptionally talented and put a lot of work into the mural.
In the video’s caption, the boutique revealed this wasn’t the first time they’d seen similar sentiments shared. The owner reminisces about “hand scraping” anti-pride posters from the windows of businesses in the downtown area. “And when I got this in the mail it literally gave me the SAME ick,” they wrote.
Rise & Redemption Boutique sees a wave of support online
If the sender hoped their letter would cause distress, it failed. Rise & Redemption Boutique had numerous viewers coming in to show their support on their TikTok video.
Among the top commenters, with nearly 1,000 Likes on TikTok, was someone who offered a brilliant idea: Turn their letter into a badge of honor. “Frame the letter and put it up by the mural.” Others in the thread that followed also suggested “painting more murals.”
Another commenter said they immediately followed the boutique online, sharing that they were an “inclusive and affirming pastor” living in Vacaville where the boutique is located. “I just helped lead a Dia De Los Muertos event last weekend as well. I just want you to know you have my support,” Pastor Dave wrote.
And many more viewers commented on the beauty of the mural, calling it “stunning” and “intricate” and “one of the best and most original murals.”
In addition to all the support, the owner isn’t being dissuaded but rather emboldened to continue their business: “Because if embracing culture, symbolism, community, and color makes people uncomfortable, then we’re doing something right,” they wrote, and encouraged others to take a photo by the mural so it can be shared “over and over and over again.”
