Over the weekend, TMZ.com posted a video of pop singer Justin Bieber at age 15 making a racist joke towards African-Americans. Since the video has gone viral Bieber has come forward to deliver an apology for what he said is, "continuing the ignorance.'
According to [TMZ] had possession of the footage for over four years but refrained from using it at the time because of the singer’s age.
In the 21-second clip, Bieber is heard asking a group of friends, “Why are black people afraid of chain saws?" The unknown group of friends stare on as the singer cracks up delivering the distasteful punch line, “Run n*****, n*****, n*****, n*****," mimicking the sound of an imaginary chainsaw.
In less than 48 hours the video has gone viral leaving Bieber and his camp to do serious damage control. According to CNN.com Justin Beiber apologized for the video stating, “As a young man, I didn't understand the power of certain words and how they can hurt. 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.”
While apologizing for the video Bieber also added, “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.”
The video adds negativity to Justin’s tarnishing image. Within the past year Bieber has been arrested for a DUI in Miami, vandalism in Los Angeles and assault charges in Toronto. The singer has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons recently; unfortunately a four-year-old video is creating a present day issue.