She Lost Her Cinnabon Job After a Racist Rant — Then Raised Six Figures
After a video showed a white worker hurling hateful, racist speech at a Black Somali Muslim couple, a Wisconsin mall Cinnabon became the latest flashpoint in the country’s never-ending battles over racism and online outrage.
However, it’s now the online fundraiser (which has ballooned to six figures) in support of the fired employee that’s sparking outrage.
The viral video was filmed at the Bay Park Square Mall in Ashwaubenon near Green Bay, WBay News reports. Footage shows a white employee cursing at the customers, flipping them off, and saying “I am racist,” and “I’ll say it to the whole entire world. Don’t be disrespectful.” Soon after, the Cinnabon franchise owner swiftly fired her.
The encounter began after the couple stopped for a caramel pecan cinnamon roll while taking a break from shopping and asked for more caramel, according to a relative who shared the video. She said her cousin, who wears a hijab, began recording after the worker allegedly made a disparaging comment about their headscarf, describing the pair in a crowdfunding appeal as a “Black Somali Muslim couple” who have been left anxious and afraid to go out since the incident.
Cinnabon called the video “deeply troubling” and said the worker’s conduct was “completely unacceptable” and didn’t reflect the brand’s values. “We’ve seen the disturbing video from the Cinnabon bakery in Ashwaubenon, WI, and we do not condone this behavior,” said a statement from the company, also stressing the termination of the worker.
But while many social media users rallied to support the couple, others rushed to show support to the fired worker, launching an online fundraiser that has raised about $130,000 dollars, echoing a wave of similar campaigns that have rewarded people accused of racist or abusive behavior caught on camera.
The New York Times shares that the crowdfunding page was hosted on GiveSendGo, a website that says it aims to “share the Hope of Jesus through crowdfunding to everyone who comes to our platform.”
Watch the heated encounter below:
