Woman who beat up 'racist lady' talks about why she did it

The Florida woman who became an internet sensation after beating up an allegedly racist woman in a video watched by millions has spoken up about why she did it.

Colleen Dagg, 23, repeatedly punched Summer Cortts, 39, after reportedly hearing Cortts making racist comments about Haitians.

"I'm a white person, I'm walking out of the elevator and I see a white lady standing at the desk talking to a white clerk saying, 'You guys need to do something about these wet floors over here, you know how these Haitian people are'," Dagg told NBC.

"Who was she to say that? What was even the point of saying that? Why do you have to be nasty?

"She told me don't worry about it because I'm not black."

According to Dagg, Cortts' comments reinforced the stereotype that Haitians are more likely to sue.

Dagg took to Instagram to further explain her actions.

Dagg decided not to press charges against Cortts, who police determined hit her first.

The video has been viewed nearly 1.5 million times in just a few days.

It shows Dagg taking her shoes off as Cortts taunts her.

"Why are you taking your shoes off?" the woman asks. "You gonna hit me with one of your shoes? I'm gonna f***** shoot you in your f****** face."

Dagg has received numerous plaudits online for her actions and for standing up to racism. Photo / Instagram

A security guard is then heard telling both women to leave.

"I'm taking my shoes off so that if she puts her hands on me, I can defend myself," Dagg responds.

Cortts then got in Dagg's face and shoved her.

At this point, Dagg lost her temper. "You put your f****** hands on me?!" she exclaimed, and began pummelling the woman until hotel staff, and eventually police, intervened.

The person who originally shared the video, Austin, explained: "Unprovoked violence is bad.

"But provoked violence, especially as a response to racism, seems to be A-OKAY with the internet."