A woman on TikTok is going viral for pushing back against her homeowners’ association (HOA) after receiving a complaint that she says unfairly targets her five-year-old son. Her viewers have her back.
‘I’ve Never Felt So Defeated in My Life’
Florida-based TikToker Ariel (@the_arielb) shared her story in a video that has racked up over 1.1 million views. In it, she says the head of her HOA filed a complaint against her young son simply because he touched a tree.
“As a Black woman, I am so tired of fighting,” she begins. “But also as a Black woman, you cannot say that people are being racist unless they call you the N word.” Instead, she says the situation reflects prejudice, abuse of power, and discrimination.
Ariel says she worked hard as a single mother of five to buy a home, only to now face a situation she believes is targeted and unfair. She filmed herself walking into a library to make 50 copies of a packet explaining the issue to her neighbors.
The packet includes a photo of her son gently posing with the tree, a picture of her family, and images of other neighbors’ garbage cans—which, according to her, haven’t drawn the same level of scrutiny.
“This is not to get my neighbors in trouble,” she says. “This is to just make everyone aware what our HOA money is being spent and used for.”
Despite feeling emotionally drained and embarrassed, she says she’s committed to fighting the complaint. “I may lose, but I’m gonna go down fighting,” she says. “And I have no problem paying my fines and still using my voice to say this is 100% unconstitutional and not right.”
HOA Cited ‘Restrictions on Activity’
She posted a part two sharing her ordeal, where her son helps her go door to door, delivering the packets along with a flower for each neighbor. Ariel shares a sweet exchange with him: “Whoever opens the door you’re going to give the flower to, OK?” He replies, “I’m so sorry.” Ariel gently tells him, “You don’t have to say sorry, OK?”
According to Ariel, the tree in question isn’t on anyone’s private property—it’s public. Still, she received a violation notice citing Article 7, Section 8: Restrictions on Activity. The HOA is now requesting that she pay $382.16 in fees.
She included that information in the packets she handed out and is calling attention to what she views as inconsistent enforcement of HOA rules.
“Maybe someone will say it’s not right to continuously fine the Black single mom that lives in the back because you don’t like her five-year-old for touching the tree,” she says.
Neighbors Step In
In another follow-up post, Ariel shared photos and messages from neighbors who responded to her outreach.
One neighbor returned the packet with the option “No, I do not believe Owen is a nuisance” circled, writing, “This is very sad. You need to find something else to do besides messing with children. I wonder if he were a little white boy if we would be having the same convo. This goes to show RACISM is alive and well in my neighborhood.”
Another neighbor texted her, “So sorry you’re going through this. Please let me know how I can support you and your family.”
Someone else added, “As someone who has taught elementary and middle school for 26 years, your son is just being a kid.”
What She Can Do Next
If Ariel chooses to fight the complaint formally, there are legal avenues she can take. In Florida, for example, she can go the route of suing based on improper fines and violations.
Law firms advise homeowners to review their HOA’s governing documents closely and to request a meeting with the full board when they believe they are being unfairly targeted.
Is This a Bigger Issue?
Racial bias in HOAs isn’t a new topic. According to a 2021 NPR investigation, some HOA documents still include explicitly racist language. In some cases, property covenants have said things like, “None of said land may be conveyed to, used, owned, or occupied by [racial slur] as owners or tenants.”
Although such clauses are no longer legally enforceable, they remain in official records and point to the long-standing issues within HOAs. Efforts to remove that language are ongoing, but slow.
Commenters Rally Behind Her
In the comments section of her video, viewers offered their support and advice.
“Former HOA manager here,” stated one commenter. “Please read your governing documents… DO NOT PAY THAT LEGAL FEE. Request a meeting with the entire board. Call them out and don’t give in!”
“Join the HOA!” advised another. “Become the MOST powerful person in the community! You’ve got this sister!!”
@the_arielb I’ve never felt so defeated in my life. She can’t get to me so she gets to my five year-old for touching a tree. All of this is retaliation because I told her to speak to me if she has a problem do not yell at my kids. #hoa #neighbors #home #tree #racism ♬ original sound – Ariel | single mom of 5
“Rent-a-Karen here,” joked a third. “Let me know if you need backup.”
“This is wild! Start a GoFundMe for your legal fees,” advised a fourth commenter. “We got your back!”
Another user shared a unique story. “And this is why my brother joined and got voted in as the youngest board member,” they wrote. “Now all the old white people hate him because he replaced the tennis court with a basketball court.”
The Mary Sue has reached out to Ariel via email for further comment.
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