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Who is Brianna Hamblin? Reporter hailed after viral video shows men harass her live on air

Rochester reporter Brianna Hamblin was just about to go live when some men approached her and started making lewd and racist comments

A video that went viral on Twitter on Saturday, July 24, shows a local news reporter in Rochester being harassed and eve-teased by some men as she and her crew get ready to go live on air.

Brianna Hamblin, a reporter for Spectrum News 1 in Rochester, New York, posted a disturbing video on Instagram and Twitter, where a man can be heard passing comments on her, just before she was about to go live. Hamblin posted the video and wrote, "What you have to deal with being a woman reporter WARNING: CRUDE LANGUAGE Sadly, being hit on and harassed as a woman, especially as a woman reporter out in the field, happens so often that you learn how to roll with it or ignore it. This time it just happened to be recorded only seconds before my hit. There are a lot of things wrong with this. Where to begin?"

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In the video, Hamblin can be seen waiting to deliver a news report in front of a home. Several men can be heard in the background, with one yelling profanity at the bright camera light early in the morning. “You look nice, by the way,” the man who had been cursing in the background said as he passed by. Hamblin, who tried to avoid engaging, however, couldn’t prevent the man from continuing to bother her. “You’re beautiful as hell,” he is heard off-camera, to which she replied, “Thank you,” so that the matter does not escalate.

The men later continued commenting on her appearance and what she was doing there, after which Hamblin politely asked them to check her channel to find out. But things took a bad turn when one of the men attacked her verbally and started making vulgar and abusive racist comments. “See that’s why I can’t be left alone with a Black woman,” he continued adding he can’t be controlled around “Mulatto” women. Mulatto is a racial phrase that refers to people of mixed White and Black ancestry. “Because I can’t stand these f***ing white girls,” he added. At this, Hamblin finally interjects and was heard saying, “All right, we are done here.” Visibly in discomfort, she tried to maintain her composure and concluded, “Have a great rest of your day.” But even then the man didn't stop, as a man yelled, “You’re sexy as f**k,” even as the journalist looked uncomfortable.

In her Instagram post, Hamblin further detailed, "1. If you don’t want to be on camera, simply avoid it or ask nicely to not be on camera. Don’t walk towards it or make a scene. Who said this was about you? 2. “Oh, men these days just can’t give compliments.” No. The first man’s “you look nice” as he continued to walk away is fine. It’s the 2nd man who took this to another disgusting level it didn’t need to be. 3. The audacity of the things men say to me never ceases to amaze me. What makes you think women want to be talked to that way? In no way is this endearing. It’s uncomfortable. It’s gross. 4. Being a Black woman in this industry has its own headaches, but talking down on one group of women to “praise” another group is NEVER okay. It just shows you have a disgusting fetish based on stereotypes, which is just as racist. 5. I was LUCKY I had a photog with me. At my last job, I had to deal with this type of stuff ALONE, like most women MMJs. It’s not safe. It’s scary."

Will Cleveland replied on her Instagram post saying, "this is complete bulls*it and I'm seriously sorry you have to deal with that. but you handled it with such grace. just keep moving forward. you're doing awesome work, bri." While Laura Perrot wrote, "I’m so sorry, Bri. I have no words. Props to you for handling the situation with such grace. Keep up the great work you’re doing." One person commented, "I am so sorry this happened to you. It is time for half the population to take ownership of their contributions to rape culture. Women have had to remain diplomatic in order to survive these situations. Thank you for being so brave and for sharing."

On Twitter, Lynnanne Nguyen wrote, "To everyone surprised at this behavior, I promise you this does not shock a single female reporter. Happens to us all the time." Another Twitter user wrote, "Every time I see one of these I am transported inside of it. I feel my jaw clench and my chest tighten. The unmistakable rigidity of every muscle. Breathe through your nose. Eyes straight ahead. Make yourself as small as possible maybe you’ll just disappear. And he won’t see you." Another one tweeted, "Do you believe us now?? It’s recorded, we all hear the sh*t they’re saying, we see her discomfort, and still some asshats will figure out away to make themselves the victim."

Hamblin wrote, "Thank you to all who have said such kind things to me. I see it and I appreciate it so much. To all the women who related to this, I’m sorry and want to give you a big virtual hug. Thank you for sharing your own experiences too so men realize how common and unwanted this is."