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[Ronok]

I'm not one to defend dumb celebrity figures, but that was recorded when he was 14. I'd hope people wouldn't judge me for dumb things I did when I was 14 now. Hopefully this is something he looks back on in shame.

 

[Byakuya769]

oh a 14 year old being silly

Kind of agree.

 

[captmcblack]

Justin Bieber is the only artist with something to say.

 

[commedieu]

ITT: no one remembers being 14, and is confusing it for 8?

I worked at Noah's bagel's at 14.5, It was my first job. Other 14 year olds were sexually active. Others were in model UN's. Some, up to no good. But 14 isn't some naive age. If someone called me a n& at 14 it would be offensive, and the persons saying it was surely knowingly using it to get a rise.

He can be joking if thats how you want to see it, but thats not just saying something meaningless at the time. It was part of the joke, if thats the cover. So even being in on the joke, shows a window into your life where this sort of word use is a casual laughing matter.

It was something that looks bad on paper, he seems like hes admitting that. And moving on, his actions are going to be the only response to the critics.

 

[riotous]

At that age parental influences are still strong.

Grew up with people with racist parents; they told such jokes around that age.. I got angry with them when I was that age.. but for the most part they are well adjusted not-racist adults who realize their parents were d-bags.

 

[Ivan 3414]

He's 14?

Oh.

 

[Speevy]

I seem to recall a thread about Facebook posts from young folks making stupid comments.

Is this okay because he's young and famous? I thought using that word was like a stain that never comes out, that merely thinking it...how does one even get that into their head?

 

[Kimaka]

We're told years ago Justin told both Usher and Will Smith about the videos, saying he knew almost immediately it was a stupid thing to do ... Usher took him into a room and showed him historically racist videos to drive home how hurtful these words can be.

Bieber and his team say various people have tried to extort him over the last few years -- demanding money for both this video and the one he made when he was 15. Justin says he will not be shaken down anymore. He says he wants people to see the video and he wants to accept responsibility.

Justin apologized several days ago ... saying, "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."

This actually makes me respect him a bit. At least he is owning up to what he did and isn't saying that it was acceptable unlike certain other celebrities who like to play victim.

 

[Face it Tiger..]

the peers he is with probably gave him "the pass" anyway.

 

[Ferrio]

ITT: no one remembers being 14, and is confusing it for 8?

I worked at Noah's bagel's at 14.5, It was my first job? Other 14 year olds were sexually active. Others were in model UN's. Some, up to no good. But 14 isn't some naive age.If someone called me a n& at 14 it would be offensive, and the persons saying it was surely knowingly using it to get a rise.

He can be joking if thats how you want to see it, but thats not just saying something meaningless at the time. It was part of the joke, if thats the cover. So even being in on the joke, shows a window into your life where this sort of word use is a casual laughing matter.

Holy shit yes it is.

We as a nation think kids at that age are too impressionable and too young to comprehend TONS of things. Yet soon as they say something racist that they might just be mimicking from their upbringing and we suddenly wanna crucify them? Can't have it both ways.

 

[Partition]

Well, I am just glad Justin Bieber wasn't 15, 16, 17, 18, or 19 when he said it because then it might have been a problem.

Yes, we wouldn't fancy racist behavior from a 15, 16, 17, 18, or 19 year old - because it's just totally different than being racist at 14!

 

[Dark Octave]

oh a 14 year old being silly

Theres being silly once and there's constantly being silly about one subject over time which stops being silly and starts sounding more serious.

That's two videos of him making racist jokes. If there is a third, when does being silly cross over to obsession and how many more times has he been "silly" with this subject?

 

[Derwind]

Canada, please take Bieber back and we add a chunk of Montana with him, What do you say?

No refunds. Its says it right in our national anthem.

"O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
But no refunds!! Take it and go!!!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
And still no refunds!!! Taaaake it.... and go!!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee."

 

[Henry Jones Jr]

oh a 14 year old being silly

Kind of my thoughts too. Not that I want to defend him (and what he did was a really dumb thing to do) but its not like this is something he just did as an adult. Fourteen year olds do a lot of dumb things. Hell, I did a lot of dumb shit as an early teen.

So while I understand people getting angry about this, and it will most probably hurt his reputation (even more) I personally have a hard time getting too worked up about it.

 

[BlackGhost]

One of those YouTube comments lol
"TMZ be like, FINSH HIM..... FATALITY!"

 

[jerry1594]

Holy shit yes it is.

We as a nation think kids at that age are too impressionable and too young to comprehend TONS of things. Yet soon as they say something racist that they might just be mimicking from their upbringing and we suddenly wanna crucify them? Can't have it both ways.

Sexually active and not naive at 14? Shit, should we lower the age of majority and consent then?

 

[Gentleman Jack]

Another thread to bookmark in case people are confused about white privilege later. Look at all the excuses people are making for Beebs.

 

[Woffls]

Oh who gives a flying fuck. There's a reason I don't read gossip, and this is exactly it.

 

[Partition]

Oh who gives a flying fuck. There's a reason I don't read gossip, and this is exactly it.

So you think racism is okay?

 

[cartoon_soldier]

The funniest part about this he "wants to accept responsibility" for it.

 

[Zen_Arcade]

Theres being silly once and there's constantly being silly about one subject over time which stops being silly and starts sounding more serious.

That's two videos of him making racist jokes. If there is a third, when does being silly cross over to obsession and how many more times has be been "silly" with this subject?

The other video that leaked was from around the same time of his life. There are reformed racists that spent years being racist before learning their behavior was wrong. It's pretty dumb to judge someone today for actions from 5-6 years ago. It's shitty that he did it, but what matters is that today he understands it was wrong and dumb, and judging from this:

"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," Bieber, now 20, said in a statement.

I'd say he did. There's more then enough dumb shit to get mad about with this kid without having to pull things from the past and judge him for it today.

 

[JDSN]

I honestly not remember saying racist shit at 14, I do remember kids saying racist stuff and jokes in really quiet tones because back then we all knew it was wrong, not how truly demeaning it was, but we knew. I do believe he genuinely regrets those words, which is why he is apologizing in the first place instead of using excuses like people here are doing on his behalf.

 

[Dr.Guru of Peru]

ITT: no one remembers being 14, and is confusing it for 8?

I worked at Noah's bagel's at 14.5, It was my first job? Other 14 year olds were sexually active. Others were in model UN's. Some, up to no good. But 14 isn't some naive age. If someone called me a n& at 14 it would be offensive, and the persons saying it was surely knowingly using it to get a rise.

He can be joking if thats how you want to see it, but thats not just saying something meaningless at the time. It was part of the joke, if thats the cover. So even being in on the joke, shows a window into your life where this sort of word use is a casual laughing matter.

I remember being 14. I can't remember ever uttering a racist word.

But it isn't about just being naive. It's about being 14 and being a dumbass. I also remember a lot of kids who said stupid shit when they were 14. Many of them would be embarrassed if reminded of their past selves.

Bieber grew up in a small town. He's since left Stratford and rocketed to international stardom. There's no doubt he's a different person now than the one he was before his first album. He apologized for this past video, and there's no history of him doing anything remotely similar in recent history. He clearly regrets the comments, so I'd be inclined to forgive him.

 

[Lovely Salsa]

So you think racism is okay?

My brother must be a racist homophobic anti semite asshole, considering what horrible jokes he pulled when he was 12-14. Hope his boss doesn't find out, or else he's finished

 

[BadAss2961]

This wouldn't have been so bad if it weren't for the recently shot video.

Another thread to bookmark in case people are confused about white privilege later. Look at all the excuses people are making for Beebs.

But really, I don't think he's racist -- at least not Sterling racist or that lady with the two kids from the other thread racist. I think he's just an idiot.

 

[Gray Matter]

Just a matter of days until another video surfaces with Bieber saying the N-word.

 

[Dark Octave]

And why are all these videos coming out all of a sudden? Why would you keep something like that anyway? "Hey Justin remember the good old days when you were racist!?"

 

[Woffls]

So you think racism is okay?

Well that was predictable. I think this is more likely to implicate Bieber as a wannabe gangster than a racist. Words are not racist, actions are racist. Words can be racist in a certain context, but this entire thing is a piss take, and you've got to be pretty damn sensitive to take it seriously.

 

[Speevy]

I went to a high school that was almost entirely white, and I know that if I had even once said that word, people would have rightfully branded me as a horrible person.

 

[MarkMclovin]

Oh but it's OK, he's just a teenager growing up.

What an arsehole. I hope his career takes a nose dive.

 

[Gentleman Jack]

And why are all these videos coming out all of a sudden? Why would you keep something like that anyway? "Hey Justin remember the good old days when you were racist!?"

Someone musta got dropped from his entourage and they know where the bodies are buried.

 

[royalan]

I can't believe I'm somewhat defending Justin Bieber as I don't like the guy at all, but in this context, he was only a 14 year old kid having an immature laugh (because its so obscene) with his friends. Stupid yes, but it wasn't planned to be aired to the world as actual meaningful hate.

Ok, so then honest question: at what age is it racism?

And what point is it ok to say that something that walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, looks like a duck, and smells like a duck is a goddamn racist-ass duck?

 

[Booty Patrol]

Words are not racist, actions are racist.

Not you making shit up.

 

[Dark Octave]

The other video that leaked was from around the same time of his life. There are reformed racists that spent years being racist before learning their behavior was wrong. It's pretty dumb to judge someone today for actions from 5-6 years ago. It's shitty that he did it, but what matters is that today he understands it was wrong and dumb, and judging from this:



I'd say he did. There's more then enough dumb shit to get mad about with this kid without having to pull things from the past and judge him for it today.

My first post asked this question and left it as a possibility. I decided not to repeat myself in my second post since I already mentioned it.

 

[Dr.Guru of Peru]

And why are all these videos coming out all of a sudden? Why would you keep something like that anyway? "Hey Justin remember the good old days when you were racist!?"

The people with the videos clearly didn't have Bieber's interests in mind. The first video was filmed when he was 15. Whoever was holding was trying to blackmail Bieber. TMZ has been holding onto the second video since he was 14, and I guess wanted to maximize the damage by releasing it now.

 

[Henry Jones Jr]

So you think racism is okay?

Would you consider everyone who has used the N word privately (or what they thought was privately) to be racist?

Not saying that the N word is not a terrible thing to say (because it is), but as far as true, harmful racism goes, something like this video would be pretty low on the spectrum. What I believe is truly harmful racism is when someone consistently harassed or treated as lesser because of the color of their skin. When someone is paid less for doing the same job, or not even considered for a job because of the color of their skin.

 

[RedHotChimiChanga]

This situation reminds me of this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvLDpwmA_jE

 

[Ivan 3414]

Another thread to bookmark in case people are confused about white privilege later. Look at all the excuses people are making for Beebs.

I've only seen one excuse.

And mind giving a few examples of a teen celeb of another race not getting away with using racial slurs? Because I'm sure this issue isn't about white privilege, although there are definitely some people who would react differently if Beiber wasn't white.

 

[SuperSonic1305]

 

[Altered Juice]

14 year olds dont know any better at that age so get off his back because he was 14....they don't have common sense at that age....what's wrong with you? there was no way bieber knew what he was saying.....he was 14.

 

[Ferrio]

How many of you used the word "faggot" when growing up and didn't know any better? Your view of the world as a kid is very very narrow.

 

[Dr.Guru of Peru]

I went to a high school that was almost entirely white, and I know that if I had even once said that word, people would have rightfully branded me as a horrible person.

It always amazes me as to how deficient in basic empathy that the neogaf collective can be.

 

[Zen_Arcade]

My first post asked this question and left it as a possibility. I decided not to repeat myself in my second post since I already mentioned it.

That's fair, I must have missed your first post. That's my mistake. I think the point here is that we all probably said some dumb insensitive things when we were younger, even if it wasn't something racist. 14 year olds are not the bastion of maturity and saying something when you're a teenager doesn't warrant such harsh judgement when pretty much everyone we know grows and matures between being a teenager and being in their early 20s.

 

[Sigmaah]

Ok that was deff OD but what can you really do? No one is accepting this but what is really gonna happen to him? Probably nothing I think.

 

[Kinyou]

Bieber and his team say various people have tried to extort him over the last few years -- demanding money for both this video and the one he made when he was 15. Justin says he will not be shaken down anymore.

Wouldn't be surprised if the blackmailer just demanded too much money this time.

 

[Servbot24]

14 year old making stupid jokes. Who cares.

 

[The Lamonster]

How does this kid keep getting work?

 

[Ronok]

ITT: no one remembers being 14, and is confusing it for 8?

I worked at Noah's bagel's at 14.5, It was my first job. Other 14 year olds were sexually active. Others were in model UN's. Some, up to no good. But 14 isn't some naive age. If someone called me a n& at 14 it would be offensive, and the persons saying it was surely knowingly using it to get a rise.

He can be joking if thats how you want to see it, but thats not just saying something meaningless at the time. It was part of the joke, if thats the cover. So even being in on the joke, shows a window into your life where this sort of word use is a casual laughing matter.

It was something that looks bad on paper, he seems like hes admitting that. And moving on, his actions are going to be the only response to the critics.

That's not the point. At the age of 14 he should have known better. He was obviously being a prick/racist and knew it. I don't however think that someone should be judged on something incredibly stupid at the age of 14 when they are in their 20's... Like I said, at this point you hope he looks back on it in shame.

 

[DMeisterJ]

Can my thread be unlocked and this merged? I finally had my first hit thread. And Bish clocked it.

 

[Oersted]

Anyone else catched that part?

"Bieber and his team say various people have tried to extort him over the last few years -- demanding money for both this video and the one he made when he was 15. Justin says he will not be shaken down anymore. He says he wants people to see the video and he wants to accept responsibility."

If that is correct, it atleast sounds like he realized that he talked unacceptable shit.