Apology

By:

Posted: 11/13/06

EDITOR'S NOTE: The following was sent to The Battalion from a creator of the racially charged video that has been in the news this past week.

I have trepidations in providing this response to The Battalion, because it will probably be perceived as disingenuous damage control after the firestorm that resulted from our video, and I do not want to further inflame or perpetuate the hurt that has been done. Nevertheless, this is offered in the hopes that I can at least attempt to set the record straight while recognizing that the damage done can never be rescinded.

First and foremost, my sincerest apologies to the Texas A&M community, but especially to the African-American community, and all others who have viewed the video. I believe the initial response to the video was appropriate, as on face value, it could easily be construed as racist, despicable and beyond any sense of human decency. That said, here are the facts relating to the video:

The video is about two years old and was produced by three freshmen shortly after coming to A&M.

The motivation behind making the video was not to spew racial hatred, but rather to call attention to the diversity issues that exist at A&M.

It was intended to be a satirical spoof, much in the light of a Dave Chappelle or an SNL skit, and was an exercise in our home movie making skills.

After initially making and viewing the video, the parties involved felt it was way over the top in terms of shock value, and that the satirical intent to highlight A&M's diversity problems would be lost. Clearly, it used inappropriate symbolization that would be hurtful to others who might view it; and again, the intent would be misconstrued from the context in which it was made. Therefore, the makers promised to each other that the video would be immediately destroyed and never viewed again.

This trust was broken by one maker who failed to destroy their file and recently uploaded it to YouTube (presumably by accident). That same maker also deleted it from YouTube the evening before A&M demanded that YouTube remove it.

Given the damage done, all three participants have withdrawn from A&M.

The intent for making the video was to call attention to what we believed was racial prejudice at A&M, not to produce a hate video by itself. Since the video was made shortly after coming to A&M, our prejudging the University was certainly very presumptuous, but that's sometimes how young na've idealists can act. I believe significant progress has been made at A&M in the area of diversity, but unlike most other goals, you can never say you are there. We certainly have a long way to go at A&M and in the daily lives of most folks when it comes to being inclusive, tolerant and respectful of each other. I believe President Gates has done very good work in changing A&M's culture over the past few years and has established a positive path to make A&M more inclusive. Unfortunately, this video has done damage to that good work, and I wish it had never been made in the first place.

I am in no way a racist, as the media has made me out to be. I support a multi-cultural environment at A&M, but admit I do not understand all the issues involved with diversity and certainly lack appreciation for how damaging inequitable behaviors can be. I am starting to learn those lessons the hard way, as the media has quickly judged this video without attempting to understand the facts behind it, and now I am paying the price. If there is diversity training available at A&M for gaining more understanding of this critical issue, I would encourage all students and faculty to take advantage of it. In fact, it should be made mandatory. I am going to make efforts to become more educated in this area myself and to become a champion in my future endeavors.

I know in most cases the Aggie community is understanding and forgiving when one of its own makes a mistake; however, this regrettable situation will never be, and I must live with this for the rest of my life. As a participant who showed very poor personal judgment in being involved with this video in the first place, my apologies to all who have been hurt and offended. I loved A&M and am deeply saddened to leave this great institution.

I can't speak for the others involved, but I believe this represents their sentiments as well. These are the facts from my perspective, but of course, it is your right to interpret things anyway you want, and certainly the media and court of public opinion already has.

Thank you for taking time to read this, and to The Battalion for providing this forum.

Sincerely,
One sorry ex-Aggie