A Minnesota woman caught on camera appearing to hurl a racist slur at a young Black child has raised over $600,000 through an online fundraiser, igniting backlash and disbelief across the internet.
Shiloh Hendrix, the woman seen in the now-viral video, was filmed during an incident at a Rochester park on April 28, where she appeared to call a 5-year-old boy the n-word. The video, recorded by Sharmake Omar, shows Hendrix holding her toddler while defending her use of the slur, claiming the child “took my son’s stuff.” When Omar confronts her for using the racial epithet, she unapologetically responds, “If that’s what he’s going to act like.”
According to Omar, the boy targeted in the incident is on the autism spectrum and is known to his family. The video quickly spread across social media platforms, sparking widespread outrage and condemnation of Hendrix’s actions.
From Public Shame to Massive Payout
In a twist that has shocked many, Hendrix launched a fundraiser on the platform GiveSendGo shortly after the video gained traction. Titled “Help Me Protect My Family,” the page originally sought $50,000. However, as of May 4, the campaign has raised more than $624,000—and counting.
In her fundraiser description, Hendrix portrays herself as a victim, claiming her family is under threat and that their personal information, including their home address and phone number, has been leaked. She argues that they may now need to relocate for safety reasons.
“I recently had a kid steal from my 18-month-old son’s diaper bag at a park. I called the kid out for what he was,” she wrote. “Now my family is being attacked.”
Controversial Support and Platform Response
Many of the early donations to Hendrix’s page came with public comments expressing support that echoed racist sentiments. The volume and tone of these messages caused GiveSendGo to disable public commenting on the fundraiser altogether.
Jacob Wells, founder and CEO of GiveSendGo, issued a statement clarifying that the platform does not endorse any of the views expressed by organizers or donors. “We do not control the motivations of donors,” he told The Washington Post, adding that GiveSendGo is simply a platform and not a gatekeeper for individual beliefs.
Despite the company’s distancing, critics argue that allowing the fundraiser to remain live has helped fuel and legitimize bigotry under the guise of “supporting families.”
City and Community Condemn Incident
The City of Rochester addressed the incident in a statement on May 1, confirming awareness of the video and emphasizing the community’s values.
“We are aware of a deeply disturbing video recorded at one of our city parks that contains racial slurs,” the post read. “Rochester is firmly committed to fostering public spaces that are inclusive, welcoming, and safe for all.”
The Rochester Police Department is reportedly investigating the matter, though no further information has been provided about potential legal action against Hendrix.
A Larger Conversation
The financial windfall received by Hendrix has drawn attention not only to the incident itself but to the broader issue of how online platforms can be used to fundraise in response to public accountability.
To many, this case has become a disturbing example of how individuals can profit from bad behavior—particularly when race is involved. Civil rights advocates and social media users have expressed concern over the precedent this sets, questioning how someone facing widespread condemnation for racist behavior could attract hundreds of thousands of dollars in sympathy funds.
While Hendrix claims she is now “scared” and “reassured” by the support, for many, the only reassurance they seek is justice and meaningful consequences for racially charged actions.
As investigations continue, the situation remains a flashpoint for debates around race, accountability, and the ethics of crowdfunding.