*In Pinole (SF Bay Area), California – Natasha Chand, a 34-year-old Indo-Fijian woman, was caught on video hurling the N-word nine times during a parking lot confrontation. The incident occurred during a confrontation with a Black-Mexican woman, Jazlyn Garcia, and her sister in a parking lot outside Pear Street Bistro
Garcia began recording after Chand allegedly became verbally abusive. The 12-second video, shared on X/Twitter, shows Chand seated in her vehicle repeatedly using the slur, prompting a police investigation into a possible hate crime.
Police and Legal Background: Ongoing Investigation
Pinole Police confirmed they are treating the altercation as a hate incident. A report has been submitted to the Contra Costa District Attorney to consider charges such as disturbing the peace or challenging someone to a fight in public, possibly with a hate crime enhancement.
Chand has prior legal issues, having been arrested earlier this year for four shoplifting incidents at Ulta Beauty in Concord. She faces charges of grand theft, burglary, and multiple misdemeanors, and had appeared in court the morning of the racial slur incident.
Colorism and Anti-Black Racism in Indian and Fijian Communities
Many users online pointed out the irony of Chand, a dark-skinned woman, using the N-word, highlighting the ongoing issue of colorism within South Asian communities. Colorism often privileges lighter skin and devalues darker complexions, even within the same ethnic group.
Recent Comments