MSNBC host Joy Reid recently described an encounter at a mall where she witnessed a Black mother strike her young son. Reid stated that she chose not to call the police on the mother due to concerns about appearing as a "white Karen," a term often used to describe white women who use their privilege to make unfounded complaints or accusations against people of color.
Reid recounted the incident on her web show, "Reid This Reid That," with guest Jacque Reid. According to her account, Reid and her daughter were at a busy mall when they heard a child crying for his mother. Reid approached the distressed boy and helped him search for his parent.
Shortly after, the boy's mother appeared. As the child ran towards her, Reid stated that the mother, without warning, "open hand slaps this boy across his face with so much force that we all jumped." Reid described the slap as being delivered with significant power, noting that the boy had only just begun to call out for his mother.
Reid said she informed the mother that her son was "just scared." The mother reportedly became flustered, and the two parties soon parted ways. Reid expressed that her heart was pounding and that the experience left her feeling stressed and inadequate. She reiterated her reluctance to call the police on the Black mother, stating, "I was like, I'm not a person that calls police on black people."
Reid, who departed MSNBC in February of last year, has since launched her own show on YouTube and a Substack newsletter.