A woman, identified as Arlene Bunch, 64, was caught on video hurling racist insults at an Indian American family aboard a United Airlines shuttle bus last week. Pervez Taufiq, the father, claims that his brain injury may have contributed to her outburst.
Taufiq recorded part of the encounter, which began when Bunch told his children to “shut up.” She also used expletives and made racist references to Indian food. The incident occurred as Taufiq, his wife, and two sons were returning from a trip to Cancun.
Bunch has been open about her past brain trauma, which she suffered in a 2023 natural gas explosion at a condo. In an email to KTLA 5 News, a friend described how Bunch often struggles with memory and coherence after the accident.
In an interview, Bunch blamed a brain injury for her behavior, claiming it began when Taufiq called her a racial slur. The incident highlights the importance of speaking up against hate and racism. According to Taufiq, if one person had spoken out for his family, the situation may have been resolved more quickly.
The incident serves as a reminder that everyone has a role to play in preventing hate crimes and creating a safer community for all.
Source: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/woman-caught-in-racist-rant-on-lax-bus-says-brain-injury-partly-to-blame