Coco Jones is receiving praise for the way she handled an ugly racist encounter caught on camera in New York.
The Grammy-winning singer and actress was posing for photos during New York Fashion Week when a woman nearby began shouting insults at her.
The incident was captured in footage included in Coco’s recent video recap of Fashion Week.
While Coco posed for the cameras, the woman could be heard making comments about how Black she looked before eventually yelling the racist insult “Blackie.”
Coco refused to let the woman ruin her moment.
“I’m Black and I’m proud,” Coco responded before continuing to pose for photographs.
When the heckling continued, Coco blew the woman a kiss and walked away.
Her response has since gone viral, with fans praising the newlywed singer for refusing to engage in an argument or allow the stranger’s racism to change her energy.
Coco could have responded in several different ways, but instead she stood proudly in who she is and kept it moving.
The incident has also sparked a larger conversation about why Black people can still encounter openly racist comments simply while existing in public spaces.
Coco’s message could not have been clearer.
She is Black. She is proud. And she was not about to allow somebody else’s hate to steal her joy.