A California man was called racist after he was filmed harassing a Hispanic vendor over allegedly repeatedly honking his vehicle’s horn.
The video shared online had text over it accusing the man of harassing a vendor who was selling corn and fruit. The text described the vendor as a “hard working guy” and alleged that the man had harassed another fruit vendor before the incident. “He has also stop cops to pick on the fruit vendor but he has been unsuccessful. Vendor stop recording when this guy got too close,” the post alleged.
In the video, the man stood in front of the Hispanic vendor as the vendor filmed the encounter. At the beginning of the clip, the vendor could be heard speaking in Spanish while the man remained in front of him. The man then accused the vendor of sitting in the street and repeatedly honking his vehicle’s horn. It was suggested that the honking was the vendor’s way of attracting customers.
The vendor continued speaking in Spanish before appearing to call the man “stupid.” This prompted the man to approach him and say, “You call me stupid? You call me crazy?” He then moved closer to the vendor and said, “This country has laws.” The man subsequently spoke in Spanish, telling the vendor, “Vámonos.” The phrase is a Spanish command that can mean “let’s leave” or “let’s get out of here.”
The man then added, “Don’t stare me down, dude.” His next comments led viewers online to accuse him of being racist toward the vendor. “You are in my country,” he said, repeating the same statement before telling the vendor to “stop with the horns.”
After giving the command, the man began telling the vendor what he believed he should do instead. He instructed him to honk a few times, move to another location, and then repeat the process. The man then imitated the vendor’s honking as he complained that he was doing it repeatedly.
“I’m the crazy one?” he asked before again demanding, “Don’t stare me down.” The man then added, “Listen to what I’m saying and go. Vámonos.” The video ended with the man moving even closer to the vendor and saying, “Mister immigrant selling your food.” His language led viewers to accuse him of being racist toward the vendor.
Viewers Criticize California Man Over Behavior Toward Hispanic Vendor
The video sparked reactions online. Many viewers criticized the California man over the way he allegedly treated the Hispanic vendor, with some arguing that speaking Spanish should not be used as a reason to question someone’s place in the country. “I don’t buy the idea that speaking Spanish while selling something makes you any less part of the country everyone lives in. It’s 2024 [sic], not 1924, and this kind of attitude only divides us more,” one person wrote. Others called for the man to face consequences, with another person saying, “identify this individual. Give that info to the news media, the local police, and to his soon to be ex employers.”
More people criticized the man over his treatment of the vendor. “He wasted all that time bullying a working man. He’s obviously never had Elotes or he would shut up. I hope his neighbors come out and support the sales,” one person wrote. Another person said, “What a racist [expletive]. I’m sorry, sir but it’s not just your country. It was made American country before it was ever your peel racist person. In my opinion.”
The incident brought attention to the harassment that Hispanic vendors may face while selling their products on the streets. It also prompted discussion about the importance of treating street vendors with respect and holding people accountable when their behavior crosses the line into harassment or discrimination.
