Taiyesha Baker aka @Tai_Fieri: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

An Indiana nurse is being investigated by her employer after a tweet she sent out about race went viral over Thanksgiving weekend. Taiyesha Baker aka @tai_fieri wrote on her now-deleted page, “Every white woman raises a detriment to society when they raise a son. Someone with the HIGHEST propensity to be a terrorist, rapist, racist, killer, and domestic violence all star. Historically every son you had should be sacrificed to the wolves.” The tweet has caused a public relations nightmare for Indiana University Health who have said they are investigating the matter.

Here’s what you need to know:

1. Contrary to Online Rumors; Baker Does Not Work at a Children’s Hospital

Twitter/Taiyesha Baker

In a statement, Indiana University Health confirmed that contrary to online rumors, Baker does not work at Riley Children’s Hospital. While the tweet is under investigation, Baker is forbidden from dealing with patients. Here is the full statement, via ABC Indianapolis:

IU Health is aware of several troubling posts on social media which appear to be from a recently hired IU Health employee. Our HR department continues to investigate the situation and the authenticity of the posts. During the investigation, that employee (who does not work at Riley Hospital for Children) will have no access to patient care.

A spokesperson named Jason Fechner told the Indianapolis Star that human resources is investigating and confirmed that Baker was an employee of IU when the message was sent. Fechner did not say exactly where Baker worked. Online records show that Backer only got her nurse’s license on October 30. Baker is a graduate of Purdue University.

2. Baker’s Twitter Account Has Been Reactivated by Someone Else

Twitter/@tai_fieri

Baker’s original Twitter account has been recreated by another user who has replaced the profile photo with the Pepe the Frog. The cartoon is commonly used by racists and Donald Trump supporters. The person wrote in one message, “I am an awful racist with terrible opinions and I will never go anywhere in life if I keep this up. Who needs a job anyway when you can have worldwide hatred.”

Twitter/@Tai_fieri

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3. Baker Said in 2015 that Going to the Cliffs of Moher Was Her Favorite Memory

Baker gave an interview on her world traveling to Parlour Magazine in 2015. When asked about her best travel memory, Baker said:

Going to the very edge of the Cliffs of Moher. I’ve never been more in awe, or humbled by a natural creation. I felt so small yet insanely powerful. It was a sweet contradiction. My problems, my worries they became conquerable and my existence was importance. It’s an amazing, eerie, quiet place that everyone should see.

Baker says that she hates, “Bad music and bad company,” while traveling. She added that it was her dream to go to Iceland and that the three travel essentials were “a hat, my passport, and my notebook.” The final question asked Baker what lesson she learned from traveling was, Baker replied:

Do be afraid, but don’t let it immobilize you. Fear is natural and unavoidable. However, what is unacceptable is letting it rob you of your moments and experiences. I refuse to leave trips wondering, “What if I had, or if only I had,” Be afraid, but be adventurous.

4. Baker Protested the Appearance of Charles Murray at Indiana University in April 2017

In April 2017, Baker was one of the many Indiana University students and employees who protested the the appearance of conservative speaker Charles Murray, reported WHAS11. The protest gained media attention because it was themed around the controversial Kendall Jenner/Pepsi commercial. The Pepsi ad showed Jenner bringing peace between protesters and police by sharing a can of soda with a cop. Baker tweeted that she witnessed someone giving a cop a shaken up can of Pepsi during the Murray protest. She wrote, “Everyone if protesting Charles Murray and someone gave an officer a shaken up Pepsi lmao.”

5. Baker’s Tweet Has Raised the Ire of Donald Trump Supporters on Twitter

Baker’s messages online have attracted the ire of Donald Trump supporters on Twitter. Many have called for her to be fired and relieved of her nurse’s license. Her are some of the most outraged:

https://twitter.com/JayneDepaulis/status/934842908095721473