Justin Bieber is apologising after a video surfaced of his 15-year-old self making a racist joke.
In the footage, the singer is heard using the N-word. Justin as since made it clear how sorry he is and says he was just a child at the time.
“I’m very sorry,” he told TMZ. “I take my friendships with people of all cultures very seriously and I apologise 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 singer goes on to say that he was ignorant at the time, and wasn’t aware of how backwards and offensive his language was.
Justin believes he has grown since then and would never make the same mistake again.
“As a young man, I didn’t understand the power of certain words and how they can hurt,” he explained. “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 pop star admits he was greatly embarrassed by the video, and wasn’t sure what to say about it at first. But after giving the matter thought, he decided that honesty was the best policy.
“Ignorance has no place in our society and I hope the sharing of my faults can prevent others from making the same mistake in the future,” he said. “I thought long and hard about what I wanted to say but telling the truth is always what’s right. Five years ago I made a reckless and immature mistake and I’m grateful to those close to me who helped me learn those lessons as a young man. Once again….I’m sorry.”
