In a heart-wrenching incident that has ignited outrage across Rochester, Minnesota, a five-year-old Black child, reportedly autistic, was subjected to a racial slur by a white mother at a public playground. The confrontation, captured on video at Soldiers Field Memorial Park on April 28, 2025, has not only exposed deep-seated racial tensions but also sparked a controversial fundraising saga. The woman, identified as Shiloh Hendrix, has raised over $624,000 through a crowdfunding campaign, while the child’s family and local advocates struggle to seek justice and healing in the aftermath.
The video, recorded by bystander Sharmake Omar, shows Hendrix, holding her own toddler, using the n-word multiple times while confronting Omar, who intervened after hearing her direct the slur at the young boy. Hendrix claimed the child had taken items from her 18-month-old son’s diaper bag, a justification she reiterated in her fundraising campaign. In the footage, she defiantly repeats the slur, dismisses accusations of hate speech, and gestures obscenely, showing no remorse. Omar, a Rochester resident and father, later told local media he felt compelled to act, particularly because the targeted child has special needs. “If it was my child, I would want somebody to stand up for him,” he said, emphasizing his determination to expose the incident.
The video’s rapid spread across platforms like TikTok, X, and Reddit, amassing millions of views, thrust Rochester into a national spotlight. Community leaders, including Rochester NAACP President Walé Elegbede, condemned Hendrix’s actions as “vile, dehumanizing, and racist.” Elegbede called for legal accountability, describing the incident as part of a disturbing rise in racially motivated acts in the city, including recent incidents of racist graffiti and swastikas. Mayor Kim Norton echoed this sentiment, declaring, “Hate has no home here,” and urging residents to combat racism. The Rochester Police Department is actively investigating, seeking witnesses to determine if charges, such as disorderly conduct, can be filed, though legal experts note that hate speech laws in Minnesota are limited unless accompanied by direct threats or violence.
Hendrix’s response to the backlash has further inflamed tensions. On May 1, she launched a GiveSendGo fundraiser titled “Help Me Protect My Family,” claiming her personal information, including her address and Social Security number, had been leaked, leading to online threats. Initially set at $50,000, the campaign’s goal was raised to $1 million after surpassing $600,000 by May 4. Many donors left comments expressing racist sentiments or defending Hendrix’s use of the slur as free speech, prompting GiveSendGo to mute the comment section. Jacob Wells, the platform’s founder, stated that the company does not endorse the views of campaign organizers or donors but restricted comments due to inappropriate remarks.
In response, the Rochester NAACP launched a GoFundMe campaign to support the child’s family, aiming to fund legal advocacy and anti-racism initiatives. By May 4, it had raised over $341,000 before closing at the family’s request, reflecting their desire for privacy. A separate fundraiser by Non-Profit Wrench Inc., a Kasson-based organization, sought $25,000 to aid local BIPOC communities facing poverty, highlighting the community’s resolve to counter hate with action.
The incident has divided public opinion, with some condemning the support for Hendrix as a reward for bigotry, while others, including anonymous donors citing white nationalist rhetoric, view her as a victim of online harassment. This fundraising standoff underscores broader societal challenges, from the limits of free speech to the role of digital platforms in amplifying divisive narratives. For Rochester, a city striving to foster inclusive public spaces, the path forward demands accountability, dialogue, and a renewed commitment to justice. As the investigation continues, the community grapples with the painful reality that a child’s innocence was shattered in a place meant for joy.
