September 22nd 2023.
Roda Osman, the Somali mom who went viral after the now-infamous “Brickgate” incident, has revealed the backlash she has been facing in the weeks since. After sharing her story, Osman has been the target of intense cyber-bullying and threats against her and her son. People have even gone so far as to claim her assault was a hoax.
Speaking to NBC News, Osman detailed the struggles she has been facing in the aftermath of the incident, from panic attacks to nightmares. She said, “First, they’re like, ‘Where’s the police report?' I show the police report. Then they’re like, ‘Oh, it’s a fake police report.’ Then, they’re like, ‘Show us the hospital records. You don’t have hospital records.’ I show them the hospital records. ‘It’s fake hospital records.’ The goal posts will never be met.”
NBC News was able to confirm that Osman’s records were legitimate. Osman suffered a bruise on her face and blood coming out of her ear canal. Police have identified a suspect in the incident.
Osman’s experience also revealed a growing pattern of Black women facing harsh criticism when they report Black men committing harmful acts against them. Osman said, “I am an independent, strong, educated, successful Black woman. That makes a lot of them just infuriated by my existence alone.”
The backlash has taken a toll on Osman's progress as a Ph.D candidate, as she was expecting to graduate according to her original timeframe before the assault. She said, “I don’t know how I’m going to support myself. I don’t know how I’m going to graduate on time. I don’t know how I’m going to, you know, feel safe again.”
A GoFundme page was created on Osman’s behalf and has already exceeded the goal of $42,000. This has been a source of solace for Osman during this difficult time.
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