Rayne Burse was out walking her small dog named Mojito on Saturday when an older white woman started following and harassing her for no reason.
She kept following me talking crazy,” Burse told Mic.com. “That’s when I decided that I shouldn’t lead this lady back to my house and instead record her actions in hopes that she’ll retreat back to hers.
Burse started filming the woman after repeated attempts to ask her harasser to leave her alone. She posted this video of the confrontation on Twitter.
when you're racist and think your white skin owns everything pic.twitter.com/o7PWmSCmcZ
— BABY G (@gilossal) July 5, 2016
In the video, Burse questioned the woman as to why she was following her, and she replied: “Because you’re part of South Miami.” Many people speculated on Twitter that “South Miami” is a reference meaning that Burse is a minority walking in the wrong (white) neighborhood.
Burse asked if she was on the woman’s property.
You’re in it,” said the woman ominously. “And I’m going to report you.” She then snatched at Burse’s arm, attempting to attack or restrain her and Burse struck the woman in self defense.
“You just hit me,” wailed the woman. “You hit me!”
“Yeah and I’ll hit you again if you try to grab my camera,” Burse said. Then, as her dog tried to jump up, Burse pulled back on his leash, saying, “Move, Mojito!
Burse explained that she wasn’t trying to get in a fight with the older lady. However, she wouldn’t leave her alone, and she felt the need to defend herself.
“I’m really not in the business of hitting old women, or disrespecting my elders. I tried really hard to deescalate the situation before I even decided to record, and she just wasn’t having it. I felt threatened, and I’m not sure if you can hear in the second video, but I was in the middle of a panic attack,” Burse told Mic.
The woman harassing Burse in the video was later arrested. Police sided with Burse after watching the video.
i'm SCREAMING at her ass getting clocked in the head AND arrested for assault pic.twitter.com/UzNsG3eJ7R
— BABY G (@gilossal) July 5, 2016
To her surprised many local minorities in the Miami community and around the U.S. quickly came to Burse’s defense, and created an unexpected anti-racism viral hashtag campaign.
Damn now I gotta go out and adopt a woke dog to protect me from violent racism and microaggressions #MoveMojito
— Tora Shae (@BlackMajiik) July 5, 2016
Dogs are too pure for this world. He was ready to square tf up for her 😂 #movemojito
— Nanis (Sadting) (@dani_liz16) July 5, 2016
"MOVE MOJITO"
it's fucked up just how racist the elderly are https://t.co/4nkGJsvStF— terms & conditions (@licipng) July 5, 2016
#MoveMojito is the equivalent of your mom telling you "go wait downstairs"
— wikipedia brown (@eveewing) July 5, 2016
I'll have a #MoveMojito on the rocks please. 💅🏾 https://t.co/XYYHKCK4wB
— Reagan Gomez (@ReaganGomez) July 5, 2016
@gilossal "move mojito" pic.twitter.com/jFecCsXEaa
— julia (@arianasgreedy) July 5, 2016
@gilossal pic.twitter.com/fO9jtHR4eV
— Jonny is Good (@jonny_is_good) July 5, 2016
@gilossal "move Mojito" pic.twitter.com/Tr5IDbfiT7
— cruel wintour (@deepdickpizza_) July 5, 2016
Meanwhile, Burse announced that #movemojito merchandise would soon be available for purchase.
So, we ARE in the process of making #movemojito shirts and such.
The only ones selling them will be Innovative Minds Create, and myself💕— #MoveMojito (@HeyMrsAmerica) July 6, 2016
Featured image via Twitter.
