USA
Man apologises for berating chasidic boy's haircut in viral video
'Had to really let my son know how i felt about the whole Jewish Haircut,' he said at the time
May 9, 2018 15:27
'Had to really let my son know how i felt about the whole Jewish Haircut,' he said at the time
May 9, 2018 15:27This is—I mean this seriously—maybe the best apology I’ve ever seen. This man has earned not merely forgiveness but our admiration. I hope I would handle a situation like this as well as he does here, but I doubt it. This is a man. https://t.co/phpnTs2toP
— Seth Mandel (@SethAMandel) May 9, 2018
A man has apologised for a viral video showing him mocking chasidic boys for their haircuts.
The video, which has now been taken down from social media, shows American Quai James filming a toddler with peyot while telling him “I’d be crying if I looked like that, too, bro...That’s f***ed up what they be doing to you.”
The video was posted to Facebook and Snapchat with the caption “Had to really let my son know how i felt about the whole Jewish Haircut… Pray for the lil homie.”
It was taken down after social media outrage, with a spokeswoman for Facebook stating that the video "violates our bullying policies and we took it down upon investigating."
Thanks @bungarsargon for calling out this gross viral anti-Semitism. I’m honored to represent thousands of Hasidic Jews. Smart & funny & pious & deeply committed to values. Critical to push back against this small-minded & dehumanizing hate. https://t.co/l2McXzkW6h
— Brad Lander (@bradlander) May 6, 2018
A spokeswoman for Facebook confirmed late Monday that the video "violates our bullying policies and we took it down upon investigating."
However in a surprise turn-around Mr James has posted a follow-up video apologising for his original post. Described by one viewer as "maybe the best apology I’ve ever seen" Mr Jones admits that he was wrong to mock the child and to post the video.
He says: "I want to sincerely apologise to that young man and his family. I never meant for anyone to be hurt or for this to be taken the wrong way...I'm truely sorry. I think about it every day now."
Good afternoon to everyone watching .. I’m truly sorry for my actions .. @FonrougeGab pic.twitter.com/HaO4cwGaWN
— Quai James (@quaijames) May 8, 2018
"I don't want this to be a race thing. I have nothing against Jewish people...that was my opinion on the haircut only. Trust me. They have been through too much, too much. We've been through as much as they've been through. They've been through worse.
"While I was doing it - before I even did it - I should have been more considerate and open to other people's feelings".
The apology has racked up over 300,000 views, while the original video was taken down after 100,000 views.