"Indian-origin creator criticizes TikToker for mocking Indian accent, labeling video as bottomless ignorance"
In the digital realm of TikTok, a video has sparked controversy and debate, with Indian-origin creator Cassandra Jerome leading the charge against casual racism. The video in question, titled "Indian lady at Target," has been viewed over 1.4 million times, but it's the lack of context and the mockery of the Indian accent that has drawn criticism.
Jerome, who goes by @casjerome on Instagram, expressed her disapproval of the video in a post, stating that mocking an accent without context comes off as "uneducated." She further asked when such mockery stops being funny. Jerome, who moved to the US and experienced problems due to her accent, emphasized that she found it normal and many people around her had the same.
The TikTok video did not provide any context for the mockery of the Indian accent, which frustrated Jerome and other viewers. One user found it frustrating that the video displayed casual racism, especially from another person of color, stating that people of color should stand together rather than infight. Another user questioned why the mockery of accents was necessary, stating that making the joke about the accent itself is a lost plot.
The incident in question involves Indian-origin woman Jimisha Avlani, who was detained for allegedly shoplifting approximately $1,300 worth of items from a Target store in Illinois in May 2025. The bodycam footage of her arrest went viral on TikTok in July 2025, sparking significant online attention and anger among Indians, who viewed the incident as potentially racially motivated or unfair.
While the legal matter is a serious issue, certain TikTok clips framing the event have been accused of trivializing it or expressing casual racism under the guise of humor. Jokes or memes about Indian shoppers or tourists have emerged, which many found insensitive given the context of the arrest and underlying racial tensions.
The controversy highlights broader issues about the boundaries between casual racism and humor in viral social media content involving minority groups. Jerome urged TikTok users to expand their horizons and leave the mockery of accents alone. The debate continues, with viewers expressing a range of opinions on the matter.
- Cassandra Jerome, an Indian-origin social media influencer, criticized a TikTok video that mocked the Indian accent, stating it lacks context and promotes uneducated humor, particularly as she personally experienced problems due to her accent.
- The entertainment sphere of Indian pop-culture, which includes social media platforms like TikTok, has been under scrutiny due to the controversy surrounding the trivialization of racial issues, such as the mockery of Indian accents, which many viewers found insensitive and inappropriate, such as in the case of the "Indian lady at Target" video.
