‘1619 Project’ Author Nikole Hannah-Jones Says ‘Tipping’ Rooted in Racism

Nikole Hannah-Jones’s frequent accusations of racism have finally reached the “tipping” point.

The “1619 Project” author and former New York Times writer who believes America was built on racism started a Twitter controversy with the claim that the practice of tipping waiters, waitresses, bartenders, or apparently anyone else whose livelihood depends on an extra 15-20% for good service is racist.

“Tipping is a legacy of slavery and if it’s not optional then it shouldn’t be a tip but simply included in the bill,” Hannah-Jones, who tweets under the handle “Ida Bae Wells,” wrote late Monday. “Have you ever stopped to think why we tip, like why tipping is a practice in the US and almost nowhere else?”

Hannah-Jones was quick to add that she doesn’t stiff the help despite her dubious claims about the practice’s origin.

“Are y’all reading what I am writing or nah?” she wrote after the internet reacted to her premise. “I said I tip. I tip well. I tip almost always. But I object to the idea that I am obligated to tip no matter how I am treated. Nope. And you can’t get more offended at me than employers that pay less-than-minimum wage.”

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