A Centenarian is attacked

The Milwaukee Journal recently reported the resolution of the case of the white centenarian Walmart greeter (“WCWG”) who was alleged to have been attacked by a young black woman (“YBW”). Thank goodness for the store’s videotaped account of the incident! The combination of the video, the YBW’s account and the WCWG’s own words resulted in the young woman being cleared of all wrongdoing.

The YBW expressed regret about not having handled the situation better, stating that she wishes she had not tried to take the receipt from the woman. She admitted that the woman’s comments had upset her, and emotion got the better of her. We know now, that contrary to initial reports, she did not knock the woman down. Rather, the woman’s fall was an accident.

I say, “Hats, off” to law enforcement officials for their handling of the situation. The WCWG repeated to police the same hateful things she had said to the YBW. The victim’s lawyer, however, felt it necessary after the YBW was exonerated to scold her for leaving the poor defenseless old lady on the floor alone, traumatized.

I am left with nothing but questions to ponder in the wake of this incident: When a WCWG falls and suggests a black person is to blame, should the black person stand on principle and defend themselves at the scene? Should the YBW have tried to help the WCWG off the floor? Why did she leave the WCWG on the floor? What if the YBW had been a black or brown male? Why hasn’t anyone suggested that the young black woman is owed an apology for the centenarian’s racially charged comments? Do we accept as fact that people over the age of 70 should not be held accountable for their behavior?

What would you do?