By Louis Chan

AsAmNews National Correspondent

Tempers flared in line at Target in the final days before Christmas and the target appeared to be a two-year -old child and her Filipina American mom.

Lisa Factora-Borchers, who is the editorial director at Bitch Media, tweeted about the incident.

A white woman was taunting me while in line at Target. when I didn’t engage, she pushed her cart into me & my 2y/o who I was holding. I yell not to touch my child & that I wanted security. Im pulled out of line while the woman escapes. 80 folks watching, not 1 person helped. — Lisa Factora-Borchers (@LFB27) December 23, 2017

Factora-Bordehrs sent out her tweet Saturday and it has since been retweeted more than 5,000 times and liked nearly 10,000 times.

Parents are naturally protective of their children, so hats off to Lisa for standing up to the Scrooge

For Lisa, the incident was reflective of a larger societal problem.

For me, there was no other option other than to be physical in response to someone being physical with my child. And that response was not an option bc this woman would be laid out. And then guess who’s the aggressor? — Lisa Factora-Borchers (@LFB27) December 23, 2017

She ran like a coward once I roared back. My experience of being followed, physically pushed, and taunted in public spaces have one thing in common: white women who in the aftermath bear no consequence. — Lisa Factora-Borchers (@LFB27) December 23, 2017

To compound matters, people stood by and watched. Not even a word of sympathy from any of the shoppers or employees around her.

What are the options for me as a mom of color who needed help: The white teen cashier who said she didn’t see anything? The white manager who wanted to give me a gift card after she let the other woman go? What are options against the daily white aggression for people of color? — Lisa Factora-Borchers (@LFB27) December 23, 2017

Lisa then turned to what she does best, the written word to share her feelings, vent her frustrations, but also turn the incident into a teaching moment.

I am sick of learning the same lesson—that there is no immunity or protection from white rage, from white power, and the particular license white women exercise on ppl of color to push, to bully, to taunt, and manipulate the perception of who is the crazy one. — Lisa Factora-Borchers (@LFB27) December 23, 2017

More than any other lesson is that for every white aggression, there is no road to accountability for white women who take every liberty and privilege to push, bully, shove women of color and then escape. — Lisa Factora-Borchers (@LFB27) December 23, 2017

I have two choices in dealing with white aggression and injustice: bury it or use it. To be honest, I want to say “the latter,” but to be human and real, I’m probably going to do both. When I try to move through racism, even if it fuels future good, a deep, deep scar remains. — Lisa Factora-Borchers (@LFB27) December 23, 2017

I hope to heal later today. I hope you heal, too. — Lisa Factora-Borchers (@LFB27) December 23, 2017

It worked. Several responded with tweets of understanding, compassion and support.

My rage is with your rage. My love is with your love. This is infuriating and unacceptable. So much love to you and your sweet baby genius daughter. This never should have happened. We deserve a loving world where we are seen and honored and respected. — alexispauline (@alexispauline) December 24, 2017

@LFB27, your words are so poignant. I made a similar observation a while ago but had no way of describing it except passive-aggression. We as women of color can’t counter their actions, for they will sink into the innocent damsel (“I was just minding my business”). — But Lama Bean’s Emails! (@ThatICnTellU) December 24, 2017

This thread has me in tears. I don’t know a black woman alive who hasn’t experienced something like this at one point or another, including me. I know you felt alone then, but you are NOT alone. I’m sending you and your precious baby all of the love and light I can muster. ? — Andrea Bordeaux (@andrea_bordeaux) December 24, 2017

I am truly sorry this happened. I pledge to step in if I witness anything like this, and to be more aware to aggressions and microaggressions happening to those around me. This must have been so scary and traumatizing. — Hannah Stephenson (@thestorialist) December 24, 2017

Thank you SO MUCH for speaking out abt this. The same thing happened with me in May—a whole bus of people watched a neo-nazi physically assault me after throwing slurs at me. Not a single person stepped in. From one survivor to another, I see you. I’m glad you’re safe. Take care. — Natalie Wee (@natweewriter) December 24, 2017

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