![]() I grew up near Short Hills mall and it was always my least favorite mall to go to in the area (luckily, we had a plethora to choose from). When Ijeoma stated this to Millburn police, one of the responding officers said that he was “sorry she felt that way,” but this isn’t a feeling, it’s a fact as borne out by this very instance. And while we may be disappointed, none of us are actually shocked, are we? We don’t even need to speculate we all know how this story would have ended if the roles had been reversed. Still, despite all of this, Abigail was never asked to leave the store nor the mall, and as of now, no charges have been filed against her. The “caucacity” of it all is really quite something. In fact, not only did she not walk away, she, at different times, physically approached and tried to attack Ijeoma, all while claiming that she was in fact the one being harmed. #Vs karen video free#Black people are not.įurthermore, many people have pointed out in the comments online that at any time during the interaction, Abigail was free to get up, walk out of the purview of the camera, or leave the store or the mall, and to cut off all communication whatsoever with Ijeoma, and yet she did not. she said, and too often we’ve seen how that exact dynamic never plays into the favor of folks of color. This line of thinking is critical because, without video documentation, this situation would literally be she said vs. #Vs karen video series#But as Ijeoma verbalizes several times throughout the series of videos, she’s recording not just for documentary evidence, but also for her own safety. There are also several bystanders who, at various times during the recording, all try to comfort Abigail, while also chiding Ijeoma for recording the interaction. There is simply no reason why anyone - be they Ijeoma, store employees or other shoppers - should have been subjected to that kind of tantrum for that long. What’s more, it’s disbelieving that store staff allowed someone to carry on as she did in their store, all while continuing to service other patrons as if nothing is even happening. And, not to anyone’s shock or surprise, she is. This is exactly the premise on which white privilege works: the person acting a complete fool and being aggressive is the one seeking comfort, understanding, and security or police intervention. Still, despite all of this, ultimately it’s Abigail - not Ijeoma, nor Short Hills mall security - that finally calls the police. Twice throughout this encounter, we see a white woman charge at and attack a Black woman, all while hollering and shouting about the Black woman recording her and supposedly harming her. Abigail then proceeds to pick herself up off the floor and again charges at Ijeoma. Ijeoma, in response, indicates that she’s filming in order to protect herself (rightfully so, especially as Abigail later lies to the police about what all happened). ![]() While I’m no medical professional, and while she is now trying to blame the whole episode on her mental health, it’s pretty clear both throughout the series of videos and in terms of the outcome (the police allowed her to leave and drive herself home), that there was neither a medical nor a mental health emergency happening here.Ībigail yells hysterically that Ijeoma is filming her and appeals to security to take away the phone. ![]() In another video, Abigail is seen literally laying on the floor, shaking or convulsing, seemingly on purpose. ![]() Meanwhile, the white woman - who just a moment prior was the full-on aggressor - then backs away, throws the item that was in her hand toward the store clerks and presumably onto the counter, and then falls (literally) into a fit of hysterics, holding her head, curling into a ball on the ground, crying.Īmy Cooper (left), the woman at the center of May’s controversial Central Park birdwatching case, allegedly made a second call to 911 in which she claimed she was assaulted by Chris Cooper (right). Ukenta backs up a bit and, stuttering over her words a little (likely in disbelief), tells the woman “no,” “excuse you,” “uh uh” and then repeats a series of “oh my God” and “Do you see this?” utterly astounded by what had transpired. The six-video sequence opens up with Abigail raising her hand and charging at Ukenta who is already filming her. The scene happened in the Short Hills Mall in Millburn. The white woman, who has been identified as Abigail Elphick was caught on camera trying to physically assault a Black, Muslim, Nigerian woman named Ijeoma Ukenta and then proceeded to throw one of the most embarrassing public tantrums I (and likely you) have ever witnessed. OPINION: The viral video of Abigail Elphick is yet another example of white people always weaponizing their privilege and power to keep Black folks and others in their metaphorical placeīy now, you’ve likely seen the latest video(s) of a crazed “Karen” at a Victoria’s Secret store located at a mall in New Jersey. ![]()
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