Racist Slurs Target TB Rays Reporter Wearing Face Mask At Publix

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A Tampa Bay Rays sports reporter took to Twitter about his xenophobia experience at the downtown St. Petersburg Publix on Wednesday.

Josh Tolentino, a second-generation Filipino American, shared the thoughts and emotional reactions that he wrote down in his phone's notebook via Twitter.

"I visited Publix in downtown St. Pete yesterday and now I wonder the next time I'll leave my apartment for a grocery run," Tolentino said. "As I was exiting the store, I became the victim of racist attacks from a white couple. They both referred to me as 'Kung Flu' several times, told me to go back to China with the virus and mocked me for wearing a mask."

Tolentino told Patch that he made a quick trip to Publix to grab a couple of things, and as he walked out with his mask on, a white couple who didn't have on a mask appeared upset because it looked like they couldn't get into Publix because of not wearing a mask.

Tolentino said that is when they started yelling at him.

Pinellas County recently put into place an ordinance that requires every person to wear a mask when they enter a public business except for those who meet the exemptions stated in the ordinance.

"They were upset that they couldn't get in, and saw an Asian American coming out and started yelling at me."

Mayor Rick Kriseman responded to Tolentino's tweet: "This is not the St. Pete we've built. This is not who we are. I really hope this couple is simply visiting our city and I hope they never come back.

"This is called Trickle Down Trump," the mayor continued. "It won't be tolerated. I am really sorry you experienced this and thank you for sharing it."

Tolentino hesitated to share his experience on his platform because he wanted to avoid all politics from that stance. But after he sought guidance from mentors in the sports reporting industry, he felt the courage and confidence boost to share on Twitter.

"What I want to shed more light on is the awareness of it," Tolentino said. "In the Asian culture, we're taught to be quiet, but stuff like this has been happening for too long to Asians and Blacks, and we must start speaking up."

Tolentino has received dozens of tweets that offer support, expressions to end xenophobia and people who have expressed their disgust that he experienced this.

Some Twitter users posted in response that white people should start speaking up when they see someone being treated cruelly.

Twitter user Texan 13 tweeted: "Attention white folks. We have to stand up with our brothers and sisters when we see this. Don't watch and shake your head. Don't go home and post to Facebook. When you see this (expletive), stand up. Say something. We are the problem, we have to be part of the solution."

The global coronavirus pandemic has stretched racial strife far beyond St. Petersburg, and it is also a global problem. NPR reported personal xenophobia experiences around the globe of those perceived to be Chinese.

"In Germany, Thea Suh said that when she sat down on her train to work, the person sitting next to turned away from her and covered his face," NPR said. "A few days later, a woman told her to move her corona-riddled body elsewhere. Not once did someone step in to help, she said. 'I have also not seen or heard any German politician or major influencer coming to our defenses. And I feel like as a part of the so-called model minority, we are being left alone.'"

Tolentino reports Rays stories for The Athletic.

To read Tolentino's entire message about the experience, click below: