Rapper apologizes for autism lyric. (THIS is how you apologize.)

[Brickbat]

http://www.vibe.com/article/j-cole-apologizes-autism-lyric-jodeci-freestyle

“I’m artistic, you n*ggas is autistic, retarded," raps J. Cole on his feature for Drake's "Jodeci Freestyle."

Drake 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.

Recently there’s been a trend that includes rappers saying something offensive, only to be attacked for it in the media and pressured to apologize. I have to be completely honest and say there’s a part of me that resents that. I view rap similar to how I view comedy. It’s going to ruffle feathers at times. It’s going to go “too far”. I do not believe that an apology is needed every time someone is offended, especially when that apology is really only for the sake of saving an endorsement or cleaning up bad press.

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]

1. A very pleasant change of pace

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]

2. Kudos to him for being man enough to give a heartfelt, sincere apology.

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]

3. Well written

Provides the following:

Owning to the Fault
Apologizing to the Fault
Action towards Atonement and Path of Moving Forwards.

Good for him.

[LuvNewcastle]

4. That's the way adults act when they screw up.

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]

5. That is truly the most sincere apology I've ever heard!

He doesn't duck, or backtrack... it's on the level.

[sarisataka]

6. Can't stand rap music

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]

7. But where's the line, "I apologize to ANY who MIGHT HAVE BEEN Offended"?

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]

8. I really like J Cole

think he's very talented. Good for him for realizing his mistake.

[alp227]

9. More class than other rappers who had controversial lyrics this year.

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]

11. Crooked Smile is really good too!

[one_voice]

14. Love this!..

I like J. Cole a lot!

[bigwillq]

15. Me too

I think he's very talented.

[calimary]

10. Now THERE is a classy guy. With a very classy apology.

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]

12. Wow. How classy.

[historylovr]

13. Good on him.

This is wonderful to read. I'm going to look him up on iTunes.

[liberal_at_heart]

16. when rap was first invented it was a medium for inner city people to speak about the

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.