Woman in Viral Anti-Asian Video Claims Half-Filipino Heritage, Issues Public Apology
In a recent incident that has sparked public outcry and shocked the internet, Ashley Barkis, identified as the main figure in a viral Anti-Asian incident in Los Angeles, is now facing serious backlash after her apologetic video.
The video clip shows her physically and verbally attacking an Asian man after a four-car accident. TikTok user @sam.anthabong shared the now viral video on Wednesday.
Even if the Asian man was not the one responsible for the car collisions, Barkis directed her anger at him because his car bumped into hers during the chain accident, as Yahoo News reported.
Woman in anti-Asian car incident video claims to be half-Filipino, posts apology [via @YahooNews] https://t.co/SgHseO96s5 pic.twitter.com/NoEcP2ADDp
— Ńasser 1️⃣ Million Tweets 🐦 (@nasser_mo3gza) May 22, 2023
Her harsh words were, “You hit my car, so where is your insurance! Do you have a driver’s license? Are you from America? Do you even have papers? Are you legal to be here? Where is your driver’s license?”
An Anti-Asian Assault that Surprised the Community
The viral video didn’t just show her verbal assaults. It also recorded her physical assault. In the video, Barkis could be seen shoving the passengers and the man.
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TikTok user @sam.anthabong advised viewers to identify the woman. She said, “no one deserves to be treated like this.”
https://www.tiktok.com/@sam.anthabong/video/7234344959443242258?refer=embed
When someone identified who Barkis was, she tried to reply to the online backlash. She posted an apologetic video on her now-deleted account on Instagram.
Ellen Acuario (@ellenaacuario) reposted the apology post where Barkis attempted to defend her actions. She even claimed her Filipino heritage as her defense.
Barkis said in her video, “I apologize for any offense to the Asian community as I am half Filipino.”
She added, “There are so many other ways that I could have asked if he understood me or if there was something wrong with his license or simply waited for the police to get there. I hope you guys understand now that I am not at all racist.”
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A follow-up TikTok clip by @sam.anthabong featured screenshots of the conversation between a previous co-worker and Barkis. In the video, she seemed to defend her actions.
This video also showed another alleged message between TikTok user Chris Moua and Barkis with her still showing disrespect towards the Asian community.
She stated, “Honestly f*ck you and your Asian community, you guys are the pest of the earth and brought corona virus to America. I really wish I pushed him harder and the car hit him and crushed his head. You Dumb Chinese f*ck.”
Barkis is still receiving backlash from her actions. Furthermore, @sam.anthabong stated in one of her comments, “Just don’t get why she keeps trying to justify her actions like there is no justification for physical assault.”
