A video is going viral after a Karen approached a bunch of women enjoying a day at the park. The group of women was working out and running the trails in the public park when they were confronted by an angry woman who clearly didn’t want them there. The confrontation was baffling, leaving them to question what issue she had with them.
Mae (@maeerozayy) frequently posts about her fitness journey and running on her TikTok. So, it wasn’t unheard of that she would go with a group of friends to a Raleigh, North Carolina park for some running. While they were working out and running the trails, she said many people hanging out at the park were “cheering us on.” However, one woman apparently didn’t want this group of black women to experience any joy on their day out.
Suddenly, a Karen in a long skirt approached the group and told them they couldn’t run and exercise there. Mae asks, “Does she own the park?” while she records her friends confronting the woman. They tell the Karen she needs to leave them alone. They tell her they’re just trying to exercise with the equipment they brought. As expected, she threatens to call the police on them. Mae says her running assistant already spoke with Parks and Recreation and confirmed they could practice and exercise in that specific area. They did everything they were supposed to so that they could enjoy that area of the park that day.
After the Karen berates them all and threatens them with the police, she adds, “You need to show respect, Ma’am.” She then tries to tell them it isn’t their property and flees the scene, walking back to the parking lot. They ask her, “What’s the problem?” as Mae records her friends setting up their exercise equipment. But she keeps on walking.
Commenters agreed that this woman had no business wandering into the park and accusing them of being in an area that was not permitted. One commenter stated, “They hate to see black joy!” Other commenters showed support for the runners, saying, “I love the color coordination!” in reference to their matching running outfits. Another commenter added into the conversation, “White privilege is such a real thing. Just leave us black people alone.”
The video continues to draw significant attention in North Carolina, with TikTokers showing support for Mae and her friends. Many agree that the woman was in the wrong and should have been minding her own business regarding the scenario.
