WATCH: Man Apologizes For Viral Video Taunting Hasidic Child
The man who filmed himself taunting a young Hasidic boy over his haircut has issued a video apology.
Quai James’ apology came a few days after the original video went viral, with the original clip viewed over 1 million times and copies of it seen at least a million more.
“I recently posted a online a video of me coming at a little kid in regards to his haircut. I just want to sincerely apologize to that young boy and his family. I never meant for anybody to get hurt. It was just a joke. I’m truly sorry,” James stated in Tuesday’s Twitter video.
“I don’t want this to be a race thing. I have nothing against Jewish people. I have friends that are Jewish. My babysitter growing up was Jewish,” he continued.
Good afternoon to everyone watching .. I’m truly sorry for my actions .. @FonrougeGab pic.twitter.com/HaO4cwGaWN
— Quai James (@quaijames) May 8, 2018
The 13-second video, which was posted on Saturday, showed James coming across a toddler in the street, looking sad and wearing a kippah, long sidelocks and a shaved head.
“I’d be crying if I looked like that too bro,” the man said. “That’s f—-ed up what they be doing to y’all.”
“You probably had the full wash and set – they should be fired if they ain’t cut your sh—,” he added. “F—- it though bro, it’s your life.”
The original video was posted on Twitter. After that was deleted, a copy was posted on Facebook.
Contact Haley Cohen at [email protected]
A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse..
Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO