In a viral video from 2020, Alewia Tola Roba whose name is identified as the black Karen is a 23-year-old woman from Ethiopia gained attention for a racially charged incident at an Asian tea shop in Aurora, Colorado
Alewia Tola Roba confronts the staff of “Trap Tea” which is a boba tea business by accusing them of “stealing black culture.” The incident ignited a heated debate online with social media users expressing a range of opinions on cultural appropriation, racism, and ownership.
Who is Alewia Tola Roba aka Black Karen as Asian tea shop Aurora California racist video goes viral on Twitter, Reddit and Instagram
The incident involving Alewia Tola Roba and Trap Tea underscores the complexities surrounding cultural appropriation, perceptions of ownership, and racial tensions. It prompts us to reflect on the importance of respectful dialogue, understanding diverse perspectives, and the power of social media in shaping public discourse.
The nearly minute-long video captures Alewia Tola Roba criticizing the shop’s owner and staff alleging that they are exploiting black culture to attract customers. She claims that the name “Trap Tea” is a misappropriation of black culture and accuses the Asian-owned establishment of cultural theft.
This morning, a viral video is spreading around Twitter claiming a woman is a “Black Karen,” after walking into an Indonesian business and accusing them of stealing black culture.
Let’s provide some context here, as a lot of people are spreading this video in order to try and… pic.twitter.com/uZzmvqAIzY
— Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) August 16, 2023
Despite the workers’ attempts to engage in a dialogue, Roba persists in her accusations and insists that the business is not black-owned.
Trap House slang meaning explained
“Trap House” is a slang term associated with locations where illegal drug-related activities occur. The name “Trap Tea” appears to play off this term by aiming to highlight elements of black southern culture, hard work, and collaboration.
Social media reactions
Roba’s video sparked a firestorm of reactions across social media platforms. While some users empathized with her concerns about cultural appropriation and others criticized her for making assumptions based on the ethnicity of the business owners.
Following the incident, Trap Tea addressed the controversy on Instagram by explaining that their choice of name was rooted in an appreciation for black southern culture, perseverance, and camaraderie.
They emphasized that the name was intended to convey unity and bring people together. Additionally, the shop’s logo that is resembling the Dragon Ball Z symbol was clarified as a playful homage to popular culture.