50 Cent apologises for mocking 19-year-old autistic airport cleaner
The family of the teenager have accepted the rapper's apology
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Your support makes all the difference.The family of an autistic airport cleaner ridiculed by 50 Cent has accepted the rapper’s apology.
50 Cent faced a fierce backlash for mocking a 19-year-old, who has autism, Asperger’s syndrome and a social anxiety disorder, and accusing him of being on drugs.
In a since-deleted video shared on his Instagram page, the 40-year-old rapper could be seen poking fun at Andrew Farrell as he pushed cleaning supplies through Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.
50 Cent has now apologised for the viral video he shared on his Instagram page and written a personal letter of apology to the family of Farrell.
The family have chosen to accept the apology.
“As requested we have received a letter apologising for 50 cent’s behaviour and we have chosen to accept it, along with a request that a donation be made to Autism Speaks,” said his stepfather, Ken Kramer.
“Though a letter of apology will not undo what 50 Cent has put our family through, we are choosing to forgive."
In the controversial video, the rapper, whose real name is Curtis James Jackson III, asked whether Farrell was on drugs while at work.
“Look at him. What kind of s*** do you think he took before he got to work today?” 50 Cent says. “He high as a motherf****r right here in the airport. Pupils dilated … the new generation is f***ing crazy.”
Dozens of businesses in Cincinnati are reported to have stopped selling Effen Vodka, the alcohol brand which 50 Cent promotes, after the incident.
In his apology, 50 Cent explained that it was not his intent to insult them and wished them well in the future.
“While the incident at the airport resulted from an unfortunate misunderstanding, please accept my sincere apologies for offending you,” it reads.
This is not the first time 50 Cent has come under fire for remarks about people with disabilities. In 2012 the musician said to a fan, “Just saw your picture fool you look autistic” and told another follower he didn’t “want no special ed kids on [his] timeline”. After receiving heavy criticism, he deleted the tweets and apologised for his remarks.
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