Skateboarding announcer, X Games host and TV personality Selema Masakela recently shared a deeply personal story on social media, saying he felt it was something people needed to hear even though he knew it would be uncomfortable.
Masakela recalled attending a Supercross race in Anaheim, California, where he went to cheer for Malcolm Stewart, who he noted was the only Black rider competing that evening. After Stewart crashed during the race, Masakela headed back to his car and began the drive home along with heavy traffic leaving the venue.
According to Masakela, a truck carrying several young white men, whom he estimated were between 18 and 25 years old, pulled up beside him. He said one of them leaned out the window while Masakela had his windows down listening to music and shouted, "I fucking hate George Floyd." He said the rest of the group immediately burst into laughter.
Masakela said he was stunned and did not know how to respond. He described sitting in disbelief as the truck continued pulling alongside him over the next several minutes. Each time they got close, he said the group yelled, "We fucking hate George Floyd," while laughing at him.
He admitted that part of him wanted to get out of his car, but he quickly realized how dangerous that could become. He said there were many other trucks around them and feared he had no idea how the situation could escalate if he confronted the group.
Instead, he stayed in his vehicle, turned off his music, and waited for the harassment to end. He said the truck continued following him until they eventually split off near the freeway, allowing him to continue driving home to Los Angeles in complete silence.
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Masakela said the experience stayed with him. The next morning, he woke up angry and struggled to describe what he was feeling emotionally and mentally.
That same day, he received a call from a friend who had experienced something similar. According to Masakela, his friend had been surfing in Newport Beach and was walking back to his car when a vehicle full of young people drove past. He said someone threw a water bottle that struck his friend in the head while people inside the car yelled the N word with a hard R before driving away.
Masakela said his friend was left standing there in disbelief before eventually getting into his own car and driving home.
After hearing each other's stories, the two considered speaking publicly about what had happened. However, Masakela said they decided against it because they did not want to deal with people online accusing them of making the stories up or claiming the incidents never happened.
He said that even a year and a half later, the emotional impact of that night had not gone away for either of them.
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Masakela also spoke about broader issues that continue to weigh on him. He said there are cases involving Black people who are found hanging from trees and whose deaths are ruled as suicides, as well as cases where Black people disappear after being out with white friends and no one is ever arrested. Those comments reflected his personal concerns and views about racial injustice in the United States.
He went on to say that many people do not understand what it is like to simply leave home and hope to return safely when you are Black, Brown, queer, trans, or part of another marginalized community.
Masakela said living with that fear is exhausting and difficult to explain to people who have never experienced it. He added that no matter how much time passes, it is something he has never been able to get used to.
He ended his message by wishing peace for families still searching for answers and justice for loved ones they have lost. He also expressed frustration that while many people appreciate the cultural contributions of Black Americans, he wishes more people genuinely cared about their lives and well being.
Masakela Posted:
"This story is long, but there’s no short way for me to tell it."