Justin Bieber Apologizes For “Childish And Inexcusable” Racist Joke Video: Read His Statement

Robbie Daw | June 2, 2014 8:18 am

Following the surfacing this past weekend of a years-old video wherein Justin Bieber, then 15, tells a racist joke involving the “n” word, the Canadian pop star, now 20, has expressed his regret via a statement on the matter in attempt to control any potential career damage.

“As a young man, I didn’t understand the power of certain words and how they can hurt,” reads Bieber’s statement. “I thought it was OK to repeat hurtful words and jokes, but didn’t realize at the time that it wasn’t funny and that in fact my actions were continuing the ignorance.”

The video in question was posted by The Sun, and it shows the teen singer telling a friend an age-old, tasteless joke: “Why are black people afraid of chain saws,” he asks, before answering the joke with “run n*****, n*****, n*****, n*****.”

The singer’s statement in the wake of the fallout continues, “I take my friendships with people of all cultures very seriously and I apologize for offending or hurting anyone with my childish and inexcusable mistake. I was a kid then and I am a man now who knows my responsibility to the world and to not make that mistake again.”

Needless to say, Justin Bieber’s career has relied heavily on the aid of several black collaborators. In addition to being mentored by Usher from an early age, the singer’s breakout smash, 2010’s “Baby,” was produced by hit-makers The-Dream and Tricky Stewart, and featured a rap by Ludacris. He soon followed that up with collaborations with such talents as Sean Kingston (“Eenie Meenie”), Jaden Smith (“Never Say Never”), Big Sean (“As Long As You Love Me”), Nicki Minaj (“Beauty And A Beat”) and fellow Canadian musician Drake (“Right Here”).

What do you think of Bieber’s post-scandal statement, pop fanatics? Did he make amends for his mistake or is it too little, too late?

Let us know your thoughts below.

[Via CNN]

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