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A Cinnabon employee in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin, has been dismissed following the emergence of a viral video showing her directing racist slurs and aggressive behaviour towards a Somali couple. The incident, which quickly garnered widespread attention online, prompted an immediate response from the company, confirming the termination of the individual involved. The footage captured the employee making derogatory remarks and offensive gestures, sparking outrage and renewed discussions about racial discrimination.
The undated video, widely shared across social media platforms, depicts the former employee using the n-word, explicitly stating “I am racist,” and making obscene hand gestures towards the customers. During the confrontation, patrons can be heard challenging her actions, with one remarking, “You’re ruining your life, by the way,” and another asserting, “You are fired from this place.” The targeted individuals were identified as members of the Somali community, according to local reports.
Cinnabon swiftly addressed the matter, confirming that the incident occurred at an independently owned and operated bakery. A company spokesperson issued a statement emphasizing that the individual’s actions and statements were “completely unacceptable” and did not reflect the brand’s values or its commitment to a welcoming environment for all guests and team members. The franchise owner acted immediately to terminate the employee, underscoring the company’s zero-tolerance policy for such behaviour.
This localized incident unfolds against a backdrop of increasing national concern regarding anti-Somali sentiment and rhetoric in the United States. Recent public discourse has seen prominent political figures make contentious statements targeting the Somali immigrant community, contributing to a climate of heightened anxiety and racial tension among this demographic.
Former President Donald Trump recently articulated strong anti-Somali views during a Cabinet meeting, claiming that “Somalians ripped off that state for billions of dollars, billions every year, billions of dollars. And they contribute nothing. The welfare is like 88 percent. They contribute nothing. I don’t want them in our country.” These remarks have been widely criticized for perpetuating harmful stereotypes and misinformation about immigrants.
Trump also specifically targeted Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar, who was born in Somalia, describing her as “garbage” and extending the insult to her associates. In response, Representative Omar publicly dismissed his comments on X, writing, “His obsession with me is creepy. I hope he gets the help he desperately needs,” highlighting the personal nature of the attacks.
Concurrently, federal immigration enforcement agencies have initiated operations specifically focused on the Somali community. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) launched an operation in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this week, a city home to the nation’s largest Somali population, leading to multiple arrests.
Reports from the Associated Press indicate that at least a dozen individuals have been apprehended during the ICE operation, including five people of Somali origin. These enforcement actions have further intensified fears within the community, with many perceiving them as a direct consequence of the escalating anti-immigrant rhetoric emanating from political spheres.
The heightened scrutiny and enforcement actions have also raised significant concerns among U.S. citizens of Somali descent. Legal experts, such as Linus Chan, faculty director of the University of Minnesota Law School’s Detainee Rights Clinic, have reported an increase in queries from citizens anxious about proving their status and potential risks to their citizenship, even over minor infractions.
Chan noted, “I’ve had a number of people reach out to me who are actually U.S. citizens who are wondering if they can have their citizenship revoked for a traffic ticket, or asking how they can prove their citizenship.” This sentiment reflects a pervasive worry not only for family and friends but also for their own personal security and legal standing within the country.
The cumulative effect of these incidents—from the highly publicized racist outburst at a Cinnabon franchise to the federal immigration operations and inflammatory political rhetoric—has fostered an environment of profound unease and vulnerability for Somali-Americans. Communities across the nation are grappling with the implications of such overt and systemic targeting, prompting calls for greater understanding and protection.
This series of events underscores the ongoing challenges faced by minority communities in the United States, particularly those of immigrant backgrounds. It highlights the critical intersection of individual acts of prejudice, corporate responsibility, political discourse, and government policy in shaping the lived experiences and sense of belonging for vulnerable populations.
