White Woman Tearfully Apologizes After Accusing Black Real Estate Developer of Trespassing
A white Ohio woman has issued a tearful apology following backlash over a racially charged incident involving Mike Jenkins, a Black real estate developer.
The encounter, captured on Jenkins’ Ring camera, took place in November of last year but quickly went viral after being shared earlier this month.
In the footage, Michelle Bishop, accompanied by her young children, can be seen approaching Jenkins’ home and ringing the doorbell, claiming she was being followed. When Jenkins arrived and confirmed he lived there, Bishop responded, “I don’t believe that.” The situation escalated until Jenkins’ wife later intervened to de-escalate.
Initially, Bishop denied being racist in a Facebook statement, asserting, “I’m the furthest thing from a racist.” However, she expressed regret that her actions might have been perceived differently: “I will, however, apologize that my expression could ever come across in such a way that somebody could think that about myself and my family.”
The backlash intensified after the video circulated and Bishop’s identity was revealed online, ultimately leading to the public apology in which she admitted to overreacting.
“I literally thought he was a white man […] I’m sorry if I ever offended you. I apologized multiple times and it was never accepted,” she said. Bishop also noted the toll of the backlash, sharing that she had to privatize her social media accounts.
Jenkins, reflecting on the incident, commended his own composure. “Looking back at the video, I’m proud of myself,” he shared on Instagram. “Not just for the success I’ve achieved but for the growth I’ve experienced. I’m proud that even in the hardest moments, I was able to handle the situation with grace and not spaz out when it could have been so easy to lose control.”
The viral moment highlights the ongoing discussion about racial profiling and the strength needed to handle such situations with grace.