I’ve experienced many things throughout my life, but witnessing a white woman being financially rewarded for calling black children racial names on a playground—well, that was something I never expected. Yet, maybe I shouldn’t be surprised anymore.
Over the years, I’ve seen how race has often been used as a weapon—from the Michael Brown incident in Ferguson to George Floyd and even O.J. Simpson’s trial. In those moments, it felt like race trumped justice, as tribal loyalty often overshadowed facts, including in cases that should have pointed to accountability. It’s puzzling, really.
A recent example is Karmelo Anthony, a black teenager, who received a massive donation of hundreds of thousands of dollars. It was unsettling to watch as people began rallying behind him, pouring money into his cause. This felt like a stark display of racial tribalism—it raised questions about the fairness of such gestures for those who aren’t tied to those racial communities.
Take the incident involving Shiro Hendrix from Rochester, Minnesota. When she called an autistic black boy a racial name over a stolen diaper bag, her reaction painted a clearer picture of her own character than anything else. As a parent, I see kids rummaging through each other’s belongings at parks regularly, but it’s alarming to think of anyone hurling insults instead of addressing behavior properly.
Instead of educating the child, Shiro chose to double down in a recorded video, repeating her disparaging remarks and refusing to engage appropriately. This footage has exploded on social media platforms like X and TikTok. In response, the NAACP convened and called for an investigation, with local police looking into the situation, although no charges have been filed thus far.
Now, Shiro seems to be shifting gears, casting herself as a victim. She launched a fundraiser titled “Help Me Protect My Family,” citing threats to her safety. It’s frustrating to see many conservatives rallying around her, using her situation to argue against perceived racial double standards and suggest that it’s unfair to label her actions as racially charged.
As of May 8, 2025, she had amassed an impressive $750,000. This situation has led some to label it as “subsignals” rather than mere “virtue signaling.” And, honestly, while we see all this uproar on social media, it’s hard not to wonder if America is truly getting better.
I’d have to say, no, it’s not. Many of us have worked tirelessly for a better America. When Trump was in office, it felt like we had an opportunity to confront the racial essentialism that has plagued our society for decades—especially heightened since George Floyd’s death. But indulging in this vice signaling, for some, only hands more ammunition to the left to claim we’re all racists.
Will this incident impact those on the left? Probably not. They’ll likely use it as ammunition to further their agenda. But I hold onto hope—there is potential for a better America. One where we grow weary of racial tribalism that doesn’t lead us anywhere productive. I envision a society focused on individual merit, solidarity across all racial, class, and religious lines.
I remember a few years back, spending 346 days on a rooftop raising funds for a new community center in Chicago. It wasn’t an easy road, as I had no help from the government and no funds to support the project. I’m a pastor, and I simply relied on my faith in this country.
In those months, I didn’t encounter Shiro Hendrix’s type of racism. Instead, I witnessed a remarkable outpouring of support. I received messages from people across the nation—Florida, Alabama, Alaska, California, and many more. They shared how my story had resonated with them and their desire to help. One woman, able to give very little, donated her earrings to raise $85.
What struck me was how these individuals believed in my community and recognized how liberal policies had perpetuated dependency. They wanted to empower and uplift those in my area, guiding them back onto pathways toward the American dream.
That’s the America I know and cherish. I refuse to be sidetracked by the divisive nature of racial tribalism—it’s a destructive force.
