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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsRapper apologizes for autism lyric. (THIS is how you apologize.)
http://www.vibe.com/article/j-cole-apologizes-autism-lyric-jodeci-freestyleDrake released the track last month, but Cole was soon feeling the heat from his last-minute addition to the project. Some fans were upset over that "autistic" lyric. It led to a petition asking for an "apology to families and individuals with autism" and for Cole to change the lyrics. They got more than they asked for.
The petition generated some 4,000 signatures and led Cole to remark with a lengthy letter of apology where he calls himself "ignorant" twice and says that he "should have known better." The song has since been removed from Drake's SoundCloud page where it first appeared. I feel real shame," Cole writes. Read his apology to Autism Speaks, the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization, below.
With that said, this is not the case today. This letter is sincere. This apology IS necessary.
(Click through the link above to read the rest of the apology.)
REP
(21,691 posts)I know nothing about this guy (Im old and uncool), but he seems like a sincerely kind and thoughtful young dude.
Now if the word about women not being bitches and hos could reach someone as thoughtful as this guy, that would be awesome.
Butterbean
(1,014 posts)It takes strength of character to be able to own up to a huge, public mistake like that and say, "I screwed big time, this was hugely offensive, I was so wrong, I apologize." No, "I'm sorry but," no, "what I said wasn't meant to be offensive," none of that crap. He just straight up owns it, and for that I give him respect and accept his apology.
Xyzse
(8,217 posts)Provides the following:
Owning to the Fault
Apologizing to the Fault
Action towards Atonement and Path of Moving Forwards.
Good for him.
LuvNewcastle
(16,846 posts)There are too many assholes in the world who think it's a sign of weakness to apologize. Some of them (like Rush Limbaugh) laugh it off and make the situation worse by doubling down on the offensive behavior. Well done, Mr. Cole.
JimDandy
(7,318 posts)He doesn't duck, or backtrack... it's on the level.
sarisataka
(18,655 posts)But J. Cole showed real class and character. It takes a strong person to stand and say - I f'd up, you should be mad. I'm sorry.- and then follow up with action
B Stieg
(2,410 posts)Without it, how will the media make sense of the apology?
I'm going to itunes and get some of this dude's rap right now.
I LOVE folks who accept responsibility for their own screw-ups 'cause it means they've taken the first step towards getting better. As WmS wrote...
Good gentles, do not reprehend.
If you will pardon, we will mend.
bigwillq
(72,790 posts)think he's very talented. Good for him for realizing his mistake.
alp227
(32,025 posts)Lil Wayne never really apologized for his "beat the p___y up like Emmett Till" lyrics, and neither did Rick Ross for "put Molly in her champagne, she ain't even know it".
Here is a recent J. Cole hit: "Power Trip"
bigwillq
(72,790 posts)one_voice
(20,043 posts)I like J. Cole a lot!
bigwillq
(72,790 posts)I think he's very talented.
calimary
(81,267 posts)Sincere, heartfelt, honest, and elegantly articulated. No weasel words about "I apologize if anyone was offended." Reads as though he put some very serious thought into it. I really appreciate this.
He has my admiration and support.
SheilaT
(23,156 posts)historylovr
(1,557 posts)This is wonderful to read. I'm going to look him up on iTunes.
liberal_at_heart
(12,081 posts)economic conditions they were in. It was honest and real. Now it's all about the rapper singing about how great they are, how much money they have now, how much better they are than everybody else, and how much sex they have. They use artistic license as an excuse for verbally abusing women and anybody else they see fit to abuse. They may have the freedom of speech to say what they want, but we also have the freedom not to buy their crappy music. There is still some honest rap out there and if you really look for it you can find it. It's just not as commercialized as the crappy rap you hear on the radio. I have an autistic son and am glad there was pressure put on him to apologize. As for buying Cole's or Drake's music, I think I will stick to searching for good rap and leave them to their commercial success. I have no use for them.