...
By Khaleda Rahman
National Correspondent
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Numerous donations to a GiveSendGo fundraiser set up by a Minnesota woman filmed calling a Black child the n-word at a local park contain racist and Nazi references.
Newsweek has contacted the woman, identified as Shiloh Hendrix, for comment through a message on GiveSendGo.
...
Read More on U.S.
Why It Matters
Hendrix was captured on video at Soldiers Field Memorial Park in Rochester, Minnesota, using the n-word in an argument with a man who confronted her about her language toward a 5-year-old Black child. The video—which circulated on X, TikTok and other social media platforms—shows Hendrix repeating the slur and defending her actions by alleging that the child had stolen from her toddler's diaper bag.
She created a fundraiser titled "Help Me Protect My Family" on GiveSendGo, saying her address and personal details had been leaked and that she and her children had received threats. Within days, the fundraiser has collected more than $700,000 in donations—more than double the donations that a fundraiser for the child raised before it was closed. The incident has ignited debates about racism, free speech, online harassment and how crowdfunding sites are used in the wake of controversial incidents.
What To Know
A number of donors to Hendrix's fundraiser have used aliases that refer to racial slurs, apparently swapping letters to avoid being removed.
For instance, some donors have used names such as "Nate Higgers" and "Nuck Figgers."
One donor used the name "Fenty Floyd"—an apparent reference to George Floyd, a Black man who was killed by a white Minneapolis police officer in 2020. Others used names such as "Africa Is A Dump" and "N word passes for us all."
Two donors using the names "Average White Man" and "White Lives Matter" contributed $1,488—a combination of two popular numeric symbols used by white supremacists. The number 14 is shorthand for a 14-word slogan about the "future for white children," and 88 stands for "Heil Hitler," according to the Anti-Defamation League.
GiveSendGo, a Christian crowdfunding website, has said it made the decision to disable comments on the fundraiser because of the number of comments expressing racist sentiments.
What People Are Saying
Shiloh Hendrix said in an update on GiveSendGo on Friday: "Where do I even begin?? The overwhelming support that my family and myself have received is unbelievable! I've never felt so scared, yet reassured in my life. It's truly a whirlwind of emotions!"
Heather Wilson, a co-founder of GiveSendGo, previously told Newsweek: "We have moderation systems in place, including a profanity filter, but in this case, the volume and intensity of comments containing racial and offensive language exceeded what our system was designed to handle, and was being abused by some givers. As a result, we made the decision to turn off commenting altogether on this fundraiser."
The Rochester NAACP, which launched the fundraiser for the family of the child, said in a statement on Sunday: "The family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of support during this incredibly difficult time. The family kindly requests privacy at this time as they navigate this difficult period."
The group told The Washington Post in an earlier statement: "Shockingly, the woman responsible for this hateful act has launched a fundraising campaign for herself. Many of the comments from her supporters celebrate and justify her hate. We've been asked by countless community members how they can help. This campaign is our answer."
What Happens Next
The Rochester branch of the NAACP is hosting a town hall about the incident on Wednesday evening.
The Rochester Police Department said on Monday that it had completed an investigation into the video and submitted findings to the Rochester City Attorney's Office for review and for consideration of a charging decision.
"The review will proceed deliberately, but with an appropriate sense of urgency," the City Attorney's Office said in a news release obtained by Newsweek. "We acknowledge the significant impact this incident has had on those directly involved and on the broader community."
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines