An Ethiopian woman faces fierce backlash after she accused an Asian-owned Boba tea shop of “stealing black culture” and launched a nasty tirade against workers.
First shared was video of the woman later identified as Alewia Tola Roba — a research associate at the Colorado State Government’s Capitol Building — delivering an explosive rant at a drinks restaurant called Trap Tea – The Boba Plug in Aurora, Colorado on Twitter in August 2020.
However, the clip recently went viral again after reappearing on Reddit in a post titled, “Karen accuses Indonesians of ‘stealing black culture’.”
Alewia, who was 23 at the time, verbally abused staff, yelled at fellow customers and used racial slurs, while claiming the black culture eatery was making money from using the word “trap” in its name.
A “fall house” is a term commonly used in the black community for a place where drugs are sold.
An Ethiopian woman faces fierce backlash after she accused an Asian-owned Boba tea shop of “stealing black culture” and launched a nasty tirade against workers
A video of Alewia Tola Roba (seen) performing an explosive rant at a beverage restaurant called Trap Tea – The Boba Plug in Colorado was first shared on Twitter in August 2020
But the video recently went viral again after it resurfaced on Reddit. In it, Alewia verbally abused the staff (one of whom can be seen), yelled at her fellow customers and used racial slurs
“I have a question: is that a black guy?” As Alewia entered the restaurant, she could be heard asking a staff member.
She claimed that the establishment made money from black culture because it used the word “trap” in its name
“Uh no,” he told her, to which she replied, “Okay, interesting.”
She then went to the counter to pick up her pre-placed order, where she once again asked a worker if the store was “black owned.”
“No, we are Indonesians,” he explained.
“Okay, do you think you’re using black culture to garner attention and win customers?” She fired back at the nervous clerk.
Then she started yelling at everyone else in the store, “This place doesn’t belong to black people, but they’re stealing black culture.”
“You are thieves.” Once again, Asians are stealing black culture. “It’s okay, you’re being exposed,” she continued during her nearly two-minute outburst.
“I came here because I thought it was black owned.” I told my friends, ‘I support a black business.’ But it’s not owned by black people.’
“I have a question: is that a black guy?” As Alewia entered the restaurant, she could be heard asking a staff member. “Uh no,” he told her, to which she replied, “OK, interesting.”
She then went to the counter to pick up her pre-placed order, where she once again asked a worker if the store was “black owned.” He explained: “No, we are Indonesians.”
Then she started yelling at everyone else in the store, “This place doesn’t belong to black people, but they’re stealing black culture.”
“You are thieves.” Once again, Asians are stealing black culture. “It’s okay, you’re being exposed,” she continued during her nearly two-minute outburst
She even began arguing with other customers, calling a man who tried to defend the business a “shit,” which is defined as an “offensive and disparaging term for a black person.”
After the incident went viral in August 2020, the company took to Instagram and insisted the name came from an “appreciation of black, Southern culture.”
“Today was an interesting day and we received a lot of attention – some good and some bad,” the brand wrote.
“But at the end of the day, we want everyone to know that trap tea is about love and bringing everyone together.”
“The name was born out of an appreciation for black, Southern culture, the hustle, bustle and panache we put into the brand and the friends and family we worked with to make this possible.”
“This is about valuing culture and being able to offer everyone something new so they can enjoy something new.”
It was eventually renamed the Banned Boba Bar.
She also began arguing with other customers, calling a man who tried to defend the business a “shit,” which is defined as an “offensive and disparaging term for a black person.”
The company took to Instagram after the incident, insisting the name came from an “appreciation of black, Southern culture.” It was subsequently renamed the Banned Boba Bar
When the video was shared on Reddit this week, it drew a lot of criticism from Alewia. Some people branded her a “racist” and said she uses “stereotypes” to fuel her argument
When the video was first shared in 2020, it garnered hundreds of thousands of views and sparked outrage at Alewia’s behavior from many online.
And when it was posted to Reddit this week, it sparked even more criticism from Alewia.
One person claimed she was “racist” and used “stereotypes” to fuel her argument, adding, “She needs a nap.”
“Ignorance coupled with confidence is never a good thing,” said another.
“Boba tea is Taiwanese. If the company were black owned, would they have no problem with black culture stealing boba from Taiwanese people and making money off it, but Asians using “a black word” are stealing culture?” asked another user.
“By their own logic, wouldn’t a black-run Boba store steal Asian culture?” Another user agreed.
“Her argument is so dumb because she’s basically saying only blacks use trap houses,” reads a fourth comment.
“She’s not doing anyone any good with that argument.” She just paints black people in a bad light.
“Last time I checked, a trap house is used by everyone involved in drugs, whether they’re black, white, Asian or Hispanic.”