BWOPA-CA Stands Against Racial Hate in Antioch
A Statement of Solidarity with the Antioch Community
Black Women Organized for Political Action California stands in solidarity with the young Black woman in Antioch who was subjected to the disturbing racist verbal attack captured on video and circulated publicly.
No Black woman should have to stand at her home, in her neighborhood, at her workplace or anywhere in her community and endure racial slurs, intimidation and dehumanizing language simply because of the color of her skin.
What was captured on video was more than offensive language. The repeated use of the N-word and racially degrading attacks directed toward a Black neighbor evoke a long and painful history of attempts to intimidate Black people and communicate that they do not belong.
She belongs. Black families belong. And racial hatred has no place in Antioch, Contra Costa County or anywhere in California.
Racism Cannot Be Normalized
This incident is particularly troubling because authorities have indicated that it was not the first confrontation of this nature involving the individual shown in the video.
We recognize that criminal and civil matters must proceed through the appropriate legal processes. At the same time, our community has a responsibility to say unequivocally:
Racial harassment is not neighborly disagreement.
Racial slurs are not legitimate discourse.
Intimidation is not acceptable.
And Black women should never be expected to quietly absorb racial abuse.
BWOPA-CA stands with this young woman and with every Black woman who has been forced to calculate whether speaking up, walking away, recording an encounter or simply existing in a public space could place her in greater danger.
We Reject Racism — And We Reject Retaliation
BWOPA_CA is also clear that confronting racism cannot mean embracing vigilantism or retaliatory violence.
We condemn the reported explosive attack on the residence associated with the man in the video. Law enforcement has not established who was responsible or whether that incident was connected to the public attention surrounding the videos.
His mother and other family members should not be threatened, harassed or endangered because of another person's conduct.
We cannot answer hate with hate.
Accountability must come through lawful processes, community action and the collective refusal to tolerate racism—not through violence or threats.
Our Communities Must Stand Together
This moment requires more than outrage on social media.
We call upon civic leaders, elected officials, civil-rights organizations, faith communities, educators, law enforcement and residents throughout Antioch and Contra Costa County to stand together against racial harassment and intimidation.
We also call upon our allies to understand that confronting racism cannot be the responsibility of the person being targeted.
When you witness racism, speak.
When someone is targeted, stand beside them.
When racial intimidation occurs, document and report it.
When Black women say they do not feel safe, listen.
Silence allows racism to become normalized.
To the Young Woman at the Center of This Incident
We see you.
We stand with you.
And you are not alone.
You should not have had to experience this.
BWOPA California will continue working alongside our chapters, civil-rights partners and communities to ensure that Black women can live, lead, work and raise their families with dignity and without fear of racial intimidation.
Because protecting Black women means standing with Black women not only when they lead—but when they are targeted simply for being Black women.
RACISM HAS NO HOME HERE.
BLACK WOMEN DESERVE SAFETY, DIGNITY AND RESPECT.
Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) California
Building Black political power. Defending Black women. Strengthening our communities.