Los Angeles, CA – Recent viral attacks on black youth have brought attention to deeply rooted anti-black sentiments. One of these incidents was at a Harbor City McDonald’s involving a 13-year-old beaten by Ariana Lauifi, an adult woman. The other happened during a Chicago Mexican Independence Day parade, where an 11-year-old girl was targeted with a glass bottle. These incidents have not only triggered public outrage but also spotlighted a concerning trend of online victim-blaming.
Parents of the victims turned to local media for assistance in identifying and apprehending the assailants. However, what followed was not just a condemnation of the acts but a troubling surge of negative online commentary, including anti-Black statements directed at the young girls.
As a Black journalist disseminating this information to support affected families, it is concerning to observe the prevalence of online comments written directly on my pages. Some even from the Latino community who are contributing to the victim-blaming narrative.
Comments such as @huntforbobby’s skepticism on the unprovoked nature of the attacks” and “@syscoz013’s inquiry about the girl’s actions with a Mexican flag” underscore the immediate need for addressing biases within various communities. There are countless other comments that I have had to remove due to their nature and tone victim-Blaming Black youth.
Beyond the impact on the victims, these incidents highlights how negative portrayals of Blackness in American culture, continues to lead to high levels of apathy concerning African-American issues. These portrayals not only perpetuate harmful stereotypes but also contribute to discrimination that hinders Black individuals from securing employment and housing, furthering perpetuating our marginalization.
Effecting change requires a collective effort to challenge and confront these harmful stereotypes. By doing so, we foster an environment where our children can thrive without the weight of systemic biases. Let this be a rallying call for communities in Los Angeles to unite against anti-Blackness and collectively advocate for a more inclusive and understanding society.
Video: WGN NEWS
