BBQ Harassment at Lake Merritt in Oakland Follow Up Story 

My 4 yr old great granddaughter, who moved to Dallas, TX from a little town in Central California last year, was telling me about her new friend. My girl was upset because she had ugly skin, but her new friend had pretty skin. I (not knowing she was black) asked what she meant? She said her new friend's skin is pretty like velvet, and she also has bootiful eyes, dark brown. Then she explained that she must run different than her, and it took me a while, and I asked my wonderful 4 yr old what she meant. She said that her new friend said it is because they are different "races", and these two 4 year olds decided that meant when they run a RACE they do it different. My grandson, her dad, tells me that they are stuck to each other at the hip. They take turns deciding where to eat, to sleep on weekends, always at each others. They live just a house away, and they are just best friends. When I was a young mom, 50 years ago, I wanted the stupid inequality based on skin color to be over by the time my children graduated high school. Well, my great-grandchildren still has to deal with it. I thought every generation to learn from each culture. I organize a Street party, and each family brings a dish from their culture. We then share our different dances and other unique things about us. The next 11 months we have a pot luck, with a single culture emphasized. The funniest thing was our 73 yr old middle eastern neighbor trying to make enchiladas. Then was the night that our Japanese neighbors teaching all of us how to make stir fry. It has been great, and our local school have recognized some of the children who can write about their neighborhood. People, I think skin is something like 1/32 of an inch. How does that make us different? Poverty, Jim Crow laws, prejudice, is what makes us different. If we can get our government to quit favoring the rich, and work at making our education the same for all, to make eating and housing a right, not a privilege, and to make sure that all families are treated with respect, from the jerk in the White House, to everyone. All of us must work towards being civil, respectful, and thoughtful to each other. No more treating people differently, no matter what race. Those of us, who are just everyday folk, will have to make the difference. The guys in Washington only want to keep things the same, or worse for minority's. Thank you for stepping up to the bully, and I hope everytime she shows her face, others point and whisper to make her super uncomfortable. It cracked me up, she was the victim, crying and gasping, and oh so afraid, until she wanted to show the policeman something on her phone. None of your close ups show any tears,

Who else is pissed off that she didn’t get the card back

All this while I thought the person that took the video was a black woman. Bless your heart for standing up against bad people

Michelle: Give me the card back so I could leave you alone Lady: LEAVE ME ALONE!! (Yet still keeps the card)

You did a great job. No to racism.

Imagine seeing the Charcoal lady running from bbq to bbq screaming... "you can't use charcoal grills"

I bet it smelled so good walking down that sidewalk.

one lady can make a huge change and impact. thank you.

Dude I didn’t imagine you in a cute little hat and a sundress. I adore you. Thank you for sticking up for these lovely people who were just trying to have a good day.

Best example of see something say something.

I felt attacked and quite offended when you didnt get your card back. Like. ?

Wait you’re white lol Here I am thinking you were a black lady 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 ms lady you are a boss and aggressive you are always welcome to the BBQ 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

I'm just glad everyone is okay, that the innocent people were still able to barbeque and that the racist was humiliated. You are awesome for standing up for what's right.

Proud of you, I’m white and I will always stand up for other races if I see someone being racist ❤️🙏

we have to thank BBQ Becky for getting all these wonderful people in the community to come out and BBQ together in Oakland. What started out as a crazy lady making a nonsensical complaint ended up bringing a community closer together and enjoying BBQ in the park. Awesome outcome!!!

Damn Becky organised a whole community BBQ by starting some mess😂😂😂

We need more people like you, willing to stand up for others against racism and injustice. Great job!

She protecc She attacc But most importantly She ain’t get her card bacc

It warms my heart to see all those people barbecueing

That is honestly so beautiful to see. One racist lady combatted with a whole community of BBQers lol

They should make a statue of her holding her phone sideways heroically commemorating the spot.

They should hold this every year and call it Becky's BBQ

If BBQ Becky ever sees all those charcoal-filled grills 😨 😨 😨 😨.... She's probably curled up in a fetal position while going crazy!! 😂😂

You’re an angel Michelle. Thank you for standing up to such disgusting behavior/pure evil. I admire your tenacity and furvor😊

Why didn't the police do anything about her taking this ladies card?

You are an angel. Thank you for standing up for those guys. Alot of people would have walked pass and not said anything.

She was jealous because everyone was having a good time

I love how as soon as she saw a cop coming she started crying lol.

Thank you for being a stand-up citizen and speaking up when alot of people would'nt have. What had me laughing is when she started her crocodile tears lmao!

She was the one asking for trouble then she gonna cry about it

I was laughing so hard when the cop arieved end she began hysterically crying I was dying 😹😹

She's being harrassed by a white woman to a white woman I LOVE IT...😁

WOOOOOO BARBECUES EVERYWHERE- MAN WE SHOULD ALL DO THIS SOMETIME EVERYWHERE

It's beautiful how one person can directly influence thousands and millions

For anyone having trouble hearing the low volume: the “card” was her husband’s business card, works in fire prevention, and Becky decided she would grab the card so she could report him. Never got it back, but she prevented her from photographing it to use against them, so it’s fine.

You're an awesome lady thank you so much for giving BBQ Becky a taste of her own medicine.😀👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

I just SO loved it when you said, " White lady scared; code 1 ! " She SHOULD get a - well - not like 'Golden Globe' - maybe more like ' Brazen Ball ' for that sudden switch into a victim cringing.

I LOVE that the public response was to throw a big bbq. That everyone would come out and bbq. That’s the best (and most delicious) peaceful protest (or maybe just a call to attention if protest isn’t the right word) I have ever seen! Fair play to you! Well done for calling out the hate! Makes me wanna go to Oakland and bbq. 😂

We need more white people like u in the world.... Salute ur honorable action

Thank you so much for STANDING UP for what’s RIGHT! I appreciate you✊🏾🌺🌺

Karen would have a straight heart attack if she saw this! Taxes!! Lol

Its beautiful! Children playin, everybody eatin & playin music. Nice to see the mix of color/culture. Makes a beautiful USA. Im a coumtry girl & we love our bbq too. Nobody gonna tell us not to grill our meat & veggies & gather with our family.

As Black woman .. thanks for standing up.. thank you so much

Oh Man what a freakin actress. First she's a bad ass then the cop shows up and then turns on the waterworks. It's all an act. Fake fake faker... Poor poor pitiful me. Ya right.

You're an everyday hero - well done for exposing this looney tune

I know I'm late on this but did you hear the 911 tape its hysterical especially since we can hear you on the 911 tape 🤣😂🤣😂😆

Yo, I'm cracking up! They turned it into a whole festival, selling tshirts, earrings, loud music, rib plates, art work, giving line ups and fades!

I love how the community came together ❤️ thank you for standing up for our black friends much love

- Michelle: "i just want my card, will you give it back?" - Becky: "no i will not" - Michelle: "you have chosen death then"

So no hot charcoals hopped out of the grill and attacked and injured any children?

Yassss👏👏👏👏👏 Absolutely awesome. Oakland stood up against racism as a collective and came together, now that's beyond amazing. This is what happens when we're all on the same page, standing together with NO FEAR. I thank you Michelle for taking a stand.💞

When real people stand up for others there's progress. Good job. Keep the hope alive that we can live together as God's people

You’re awesome for fighting black people’s rights

You, my dear lady are a HERO in my book. If there were more people like you in this world, the world would be a MUCH better place. The Sunday you took the video there were a few people in the park. Now, your newest video shows literally thousands of people with barbecue having fun and enjoying the park. YOU did that. It just shows the power ONE person with a good heart can have on the world. You brought that community together and caused the world to see the shame in that woman's actions.

I respect you for what you did. There are VERY few who would do this. Thank you for standing up for what is fair/right.🙏🏾

I love when the community of the world gets together and makes a stand. So powerful.

Guaranteed there’s no “Karen’s” or “Becky’s” here at this bbq! 🍖 ✊🏽✊🏿✊🏼✊🏾✊🏻

I hope you realize how incredible you are!!! You showed what racists look like. Keep being amazing girl! Xoxo

I don't blame you for wanting the card back. Doxxing is a real issue.

The World would be a much better Place if more people would be like you! All the best from Germany!

I bet she will never walk anywhere near this park again. You be careful Michelle, she is bitter and spiteful.

NOW THIS IS WHAT YOU CALL A COMMUNITY 💜

Thank you for what you did as I am a Black-American 16 year old living in Oakland. I’m glad you stood up because not a lot of people would do what you did and that makes me feel safer in my own city knowing that we are united in not just Oakland but the Bay Area and hopefully the world next. THANKS 🙏🏽

Sista! You started the “Karen” movement! We love your gangsta

She was REALLY invited to alot of barbeques. 😂😂

BBQ lady telling you to leave her alone while keeping the card reminds me of a dog keeping the toy but wanting you to throw it lol

Looks like you started the annual Lake Merritt BBQ Against Hate Festival. Awesome.

So proud of you for standing up !!!!

Lmao..my girl was on her hard..every swivel, pivot and turn😂😂

I thought it was a black women that was recording BBQ Becky... Instead of complaining calling the cops for non-sense she should have joined the BBQ and had some fun...

Yessss! Go girl! Stand up for what you believe! Not every white person is racist.You give me hope

"When the lady said we using wood we wanna ask her if we could use wood" 🤣🤣 i died with laughter thank God my roon is far from ma parents

😂🤣😂🤣😂...NOW THATS HOW YOU CLOWN THAT WHOLE SITUATION, HAVE THE ENTIRE CITY COME OUT AND BARBEQUE...YES INDEED !!

Thank you for the follow up video and for being AWESOME! You did something so simple, yet so important. We should never sit back and watch an injustice if we can make a difference. Bless you and keep standing up for what’s right 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

You ma'am are making America great. #whenwhitepeopletiredofracism

Amazing work Michelle! Loved how you truly gave her a taste of her medicine and to see the turn out after was inspirational! Keep it up :)

God bless you, your husband, and all those who have been a victim of or been exposed to targeted profiling, racism, etc. I love you all and I hope people like BBQ Becky keep getting called out and exposed. Stay strong my fellow Americans. #UnitedWeAllStand

That woman is what a social justice warrior authoritarian looks like, good job calling her out.

Look at that crowd. Black n white. BBQ. Now that's the US I wanna see. N go someday. I'm Asian live in Asia. But wanna visit US someday. Pardon my English. Oh n to BBQ Becky. Just stay at home. Go to work then go home. Just don't go anywhere else. Leave the normal people alone.

You are a LEGEND! A true ally. Thank you for standing up - speaking up and doing the right thing. Much love from the UK xx

Love how everyone showed up with their charcoal grills later, yasss.

This looks so doggone fun!!! Thanks for the update. You're a very special woman and The Black Delegation appreciates you. 💛

Dang, Michelle already had a plate. Well thank you for standing up for whats RIGHT not what's WHITE. --We're all human and appreciate someone who fights for an end to harassment.

I think you are absolutely amazing!!! Thank you for standing up for this injustice. God bless you immensely.

Thanks for standing up! We need more people calling stuff like this out!

👍This is exactly what I wanted to see 😂 Behind the scenes. 👍

I love how many people are totally unaware that the woman who brought them all down there is just strolling right by enjoying the scene... it's a beautiful thing that came as an outcome to that other woman's foolery... God bless

thank you for standing up for what is right, May God continue blessing you in your endeavors. Peace.

I love to see how the whole community came out as "one"! Absolutely love it!

How you like them charcoals now, Betty?!?

Damn girl.... Now this my kinda park 🙌🤩🤤

Omg! I'm so glad we got to know what happened at the end! I want this lady in my life! I'm so hard headed when I see injustice.

You're an amazing person! It really gives me hope to see people of the another race take action on racial discrimination. Thank you!

Thank you. It's important to stand up to bullies. I noticed that when the bully tactic didn't work she turned to tears. So fake! Hopefully she learned her lesson, doubt it, but there's always hope!

Loved how you showed the community coming together at the park after ! No one will ever stop what’s right in this world and that’s peace and love

Good on you, for taking a stand and putting that woman in her place. I love how the community came together with their family barbecues in support of the family that was originally harassed and to show barbecuing is allowed.

I legit keep getting BBQ videos after the other one was recommended

Ain't nobody got time for harassment with all that deliciousness taking place in the background!

Good for you Michelle. We need more people like you. If you see something, say something.

"This is the FUN POLICE!, we want to know if any1 is enjoying themselves?" " you will be arrested." tHe WhO