Recently, another wave of racial debates was ignited, leaving internet users to pick sides. The argument began after a recording caught two white women staring at a black woman in New York City.
As seen in the now-viral clip posted on TikTok, the New Yorker was filming herself with a tripod as she took a passport photograph at a CVS Pharmacy. Accompanying the clip is the viral sound, “When you’re black, you’re never really lonely, because there will always be a white person all up in your business.” In the footage, the black TikToker was adjusting her long, wavy hair in front of the camera. When she turned away from her camera, two aged white women were seen blatantly staring at her. A zoomed view showed one of the old white women’s mouths open, looking at the black lady who was now taking a photograph.
Shortly after the post was made, Internet users started rounds of discourse over the footage. Some users supported the white women and claimed that their stares were in no way racially profiling the black lady.
“The victimization is real,” one user slammed. Another user opined that it was improper for the young female to film herself at a CVS.
“Sometimes when people stare at you, it’s not because they are racist. It’s because you are weird.”
A third person commented that the younger woman was intruding. “It’s actually really rude.” the person criticized. “People are there getting medication; that’s a bit of an invasion of privacy.”
This netizen lashed at the TikToker, writing, “This is actually kind of ageist. Old people have resting b**ch face due to the natural process of getting old. To accuse them of thinking something mean is grossly unfair.”
“I’d stare, too, if someone set up a tripod at the pharmacy,” another user penned.
On the flip side, other TikTok users supported the black lady. One supporter made fun of the women. “Karen and Karen pro Max,” the comment read.
A second supporter questioned, “What the hell are they looking at with that lead paint stare?” A third ally added, “They can’t believe we’re free.”
A fourth supporter analyzed the old women’s stares. “It’s not the stare for me. It’s the expression within the stare,” the user explained. “Just a straight visceral expression of disgust and enmity towards her beauty. It’s a human-less, soulless stare.”
Neither the TikToker nor the White women did anything wrong. However, the Internet remains divided about the truth of the scenario.
