CULTURE

Why a White Woman is Becoming Wealthy After Using a Racist Slur

Some crowdfunding efforts incentivize racist behaviors.

Silhouette of a woman near the window | Photo by Zafer Erdoğan via Pexels

Those who complain about “cancel culture” claim that calling someone a racist is like sewing a scarlet letter on every shirt they own, an inescapable mark against their character. This argument overlooks the human potential for change and growth. But also, how societal norms have shifted over time. Racism is no longer confined to the shadows of society. Indeed, in some circles, such behavior is brought into the limelight and celebrated. Take, for instance, the public response to Shiloh Hendrix, a White woman identified in a viral video calling a 5-year-old Black boy the n-word in a public park. The mother from Rochester, Minnesota, claimed she lashed out after the child took something that belonged to her son. In the aftermath, Hendrix launched a fundraising campaign on GoSendGo, which raised more than half a million dollars in a few days. This rapid fundraising effort sparked national discourse about the prevalence of racism in American society.

What were people who donated to Shilox Hendrix thinking? Luckily, we don’t have to wonder in vain, as some messages attached to anonymous donations revealed contributors’ motivations. One donor tagged “Average White Man” gave Hendrix $1488…