Image by facebook

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.

Antisemitism Notebook

Your weekly guide through the news and the noise of how rising antisemitism and disputes over how to address it are shaping American Jewish life.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

“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.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount