In today’s fast-paced digital world, controversies on social media erupt almost daily, often involving influencers, activists, or public figures who suddenly find themselves the subject of intense public scrutiny. The most recent example involves Zahra Fitness, a black activist and fitness trainer who went viral after filming and mocking a man at the gym, only to then cry racism when faced with backlash. This incident, covered extensively by Joey Swoll in a YouTube video titled “She Got Called Out for Bullying, Now She’s Crying Racism,” has sparked widespread debate around the use of identity politics, personal responsibility, and the internet’s role as judge, jury, and executioner.
In this blog, we will take a closer look at the incident, the role of identity politics in Zara’s defense, and the broader cultural implications of using race to deflect from personal accountability. We will also dive into how influencers are navigating public opinion in a world where content is king, but respect and ethics still matter.
The Incident: When Bullying Goes Viral
The saga began when Zahra Fitness, who describes herself as a black activist and fitness trainer in the Bay Area, filmed a man working out at the gym and proceeded to mock his form. The video was shared on her social media account, garnering attention for all the wrong reasons. What Zara likely assumed would be a humorous post turned into an internet firestorm. The fitness content creator Joey Swoll, who often calls out bad gym etiquette and behavior, caught wind of the video and responded.
Swole shared his reaction to the footage, in which he firmly criticized Zara for her actions. He explained that the man in the video was performing a legitimate exercise called a chest-supported seal row, an effective workout for isolating the upper back and lats, particularly useful for those with lower back problems. Despite being a certified personal trainer, Zahra Fitness ridiculed this man’s form, even recruiting others at the gym to laugh along.
Joey Swoll called her out bluntly, stating:
“You’re a certified personal trainer, and you don’t know this or know better than to film someone to post on social media to make fun of him? Seriously, shame on you. You need to do better, mind your business.”
This direct criticism highlights a significant issue: when influencers prioritize content over kindness or ethical behavior, it often backfires in spectacular fashion.
Identity Politics: Deflecting Accountability with the Race Card
Instead of taking responsibility for her actions, Zahra Fitness responded by playing the race card. She claimed that the only reason people were criticizing her was because she is a black woman. On her social media, she doubled down, posting that the backlash she received was a reflection of the harsh realities black women face.
Here’s what Zara posted following the controversy:
“What I’m going to do is once again spread knowledge to show you guys how it feels to be a black woman when we just show up in this world.”
By framing the situation as a racial issue, Zara deflected from the actual problem: filming someone without their consent and making fun of them on social media. Joey Swoll’s response to this was pointed and accurate:
“Being a black woman has nothing to do with it. People are mad at you because you disrespected somebody, filmed them, and posted it on social media to make fun of them. That’s why people are upset.”
This type of response raises an important question: When is it acceptable to use identity politics in defense, and when is it simply an excuse to avoid accountability?
The Public Response: Judge, Jury, and Executioner
In the world of social media, public opinion moves quickly, and individuals can be judged harshly for their mistakes. Zahra Fitness, instead of taking responsibility and perhaps apologizing for her behavior, fueled the fire by invoking race and gender as the cause for the criticism against her. However, this move backfired, with many people calling her out for playing the victim card.
It’s important to note that the first person to publicly disagree with Zara wasn’t a white man—it was a black woman. This fact underscores the point that her actions were being criticized, not her identity.
Joey Swoll, in his follow-up to the incident, emphasized the idea of gym culture as a community where respect is paramount, regardless of race, gender, or background:
“The gym is one community, regardless of race and gender. As long as you respect and support others, you’re going to get the same back.”
The Role of Influencers: Responsibility in the Age of Content Creation
The world of content creation, particularly within the influencer space, often pushes individuals to create viral, attention-grabbing content. This pressure can lead to ethical lines being blurred, as influencers strive to maintain relevance. Zahra Fitness, like many others, likely saw an opportunity for engagement and interaction with her audience, but in doing so, she lost sight of the respect that should exist in shared spaces like the gym.
Here are some key takeaways from this incident for influencers and content creators:
- Respect privacy: Filming others without consent, especially in a space as personal as the gym, is a violation of privacy. The fact that it’s against 24-Hour Fitness rules further underscores this point.
- Content is not an excuse for cruelty: Attempting to gain likes and views by mocking others is not just ethically wrong—it can also damage an influencer’s reputation.
- Take accountability: When called out for poor behavior, it’s always better to admit fault and learn from the mistake rather than deflecting or doubling down. In Zara’s case, an apology would likely have ended the controversy much sooner.
The Bigger Picture: Identity Politics and the Victimhood Narrative
Zara’s response taps into a broader societal issue—what many call the victimhood narrative. There are valid and important discussions to be had about race, gender, and how marginalized groups are treated in society. However, using identity as a shield to deflect from personal accountability dilutes the importance of these discussions.
In the video, Joey Swoll touches on the dangers of this mindset:
“When you are consumed with these superficial identity characteristics, and they are at the forefront of your brain at all times, sometimes other parts of your personality and your morality fall by the wayside.”
This quote captures a critical point: when individuals constantly frame themselves as victims, it becomes difficult to focus on personal growth, ethics, and accountability. Instead, they lean on their identity to justify or excuse behavior that is objectively wrong.
Zara Fitness is not alone in using identity as a defense mechanism. This is a growing trend in modern discourse, where individuals conflate criticism of their actions with attacks on their race, gender, or identity. While systemic issues certainly exist, not every critique is an attack on one’s identity.
The Consequences: Gym Culture, Cancel Culture, and Lessons Learned
In the wake of the incident, there were consequences for Zahra Fitness beyond just public backlash. Reports suggest that she may have been banned from the gym for violating its policies, a further indication that her actions were not merely controversial—they were against the rules.
At this point, it’s important to reflect on the impact of such situations, both for influencers and for society at large:
- Gym culture and respect: The gym is a community where people of all backgrounds come to better themselves. It is built on respect, and those who violate this respect—whether through mocking, filming without consent, or other inappropriate behavior—risk being ostracized.
- Cancel culture and overreach: While Zara’s actions deserved to be criticized, the rapid escalation of online backlash can often go too far. The public must balance holding influencers accountable with the recognition that everyone makes mistakes.
- Learning and moving forward: The key takeaway from this incident is the importance of owning up to one’s mistakes. Zara’s decision to double down and play the race card only worsened the situation. However, if she had taken accountability early on, the conversation could have shifted toward growth and learning.
Conclusion: A Teachable Moment in Personal Responsibility
The story of Zahra Fitness being called out for bullying, only to then cry racism, is emblematic of a broader societal issue. It highlights the tension between personal responsibility and identity politics in the digital age. Influencers like Zara hold a significant amount of power and influence, and with that power comes the responsibility to act ethically and with respect toward others.
As we’ve seen in this case, using race or identity as a shield against legitimate criticism does more harm than good. It not only weakens the conversation around real systemic issues but also erodes the trust that audiences place in influencers.
In a world where social media reigns supreme and everyone has the potential to go viral, it’s essential to remember that accountability and integrity are non-negotiable. Whether you’re an influencer or an everyday person at the gym, respect for others should always come before the need for content.
As Joey Swoll aptly put it:
“You need to do better, mind your own business, and respect others. That’s how you build community—race has nothing to do with it.”
This incident is a teachable moment, not just for Zahra Fitness, but for all of us navigating the complex terrain of social media, identity, and personal responsibility.
