Stand Strong Against Racism

***Please read the latest update!! I'm overwhelmed by this response. This is unbelievable!!*** You can also: Follow Jessie Grady on Facebook For Updates 
On the night before Thanksgiving, I witnessed a white woman engage in a 30 minute racist rant (complete with yelling and cursing and repeated references to the fact that employees were African American) against the employees at a Chicago Michaels store - because she did not like that they offered her the option to purchase a re-usable shopping bag for her larger items. I was directly in front of this customer in line, I stopped at the exit to show my 2 year old a Christmas ornament and witnessed first-hand that the Michaels’ employees did nothing to provoke this verbal attack, and in fact treated all customers with professionalism and courtesy. I was so shocked by this unprovoked attack that I captured 17 minutes of it on video on my phone. I am starting this gofundme because I’d like to do something to try to make it up to the employee who was the main target of this racist attack. I’d like to show her that many people are horrified by how this woman treated her, and that we stand with her and appreciate her hard work.  She inspired me because despite the hateful words that were being hurled in her direction, she stood in that entranceway calm and unmoving to protect her staff and customers. Her calmness calmed me and I saw a true leader, which in today’s world, is something to be rewarded. All proceeds from this gofundme will be given to this employee, who has three children, to try to make her busy holiday season brighter. In the current climate I believe it’s very important that we go out of our way to treat each other with dignity, kindness and politeness, and that we stand up for each other when we see people being mistreated.

***Thank you so much for everyone's kindness and generosity, I want to reiterate that the police were called, bystanders, including myself, were actively involved and the staff handled this flawlessly. There is so much you don't see in this video. Atleast ten customers stood next to the manager and waited for the police. That is what shocked the manager and myself the most, that people actually spoke up. You had to be there to see how the people were united. Thank you so much for helping me with this small gesture to thank this employee. Over 48,000 people have seen this video, if that many people gifted $1 this could be life-changing. I saw a hero and a leader in this manager. I was inspired by her. This incident started over a $1 re-usuable bag, but it's not new for African Americans and other POC. We have to stand up, if you can't speak up, at least be a witness and share your story.