What is it with people in this country who think they can get away with calling people slurs in this day and age of video and not have there be any repercussions? It’s bad enough to be racist, but they prove themselves to be overwhelmingly stupid, too. Seems like the two go hand in hand.
For example, on Tuesday morning, a white man followed a black man home and, from a van clearly stating the name of his company and its phone number, proceeded to call the black man “n****r” repeatedly while being recorded.
The victim of the verbal assault, who was identified by WSYX/WTTE as Charles Lovett, posted the nearly three and a half minute video to his Facebook account. The video was later tweeted by activist Shaun King, which is when it went viral. Be forewarned: it contains extremely offensive language.
ALL HANDS ON DECK.
"I just want to let you know what a nigger you are." -Jeffrey Whitman, owner of Uriahs Heating, Cooling, & Refrigeration in Columbus, OH
Jeffrey Whitman, in his own company vehicle, chased a Black man all the way to his home to repeatedly call him a nigger. pic.twitter.com/BMh3bHHBCS
— Shaun King (@ShaunKing) July 25, 2018
Keep in mind that the whole time, the white man was speaking from inside a van that, again, had his company’s name and contact information printed right on the side of it. That made it pretty damn easy to identify the driver as Jeffrey Whitman, either the owner or an employee of the company.
Here’s what apparently went down, according to Lovett: On Tuesday morning, the pair disagreed over who had the right of way in a lane on a certain street. Lovett claims Whitman got mad because he felt that Lovett had cut him off, and Whitman allegedly retaliated by nearly sideswiping Lovett while driving. At that point, Lovett honked at Whitman, and Whitman followed him home — although in the video he states he didn’t follow him home, he simply had a job in that area. Wow, what an amazing coincidence!
Whitman tells Lovett that he’s a “rude n****r,” and that he lives in “the rude world.” Really? WHO lives in the rude world? Not the man who followed someone home to shout slurs at him?
Whitman also says that Lovett feels “entitled” because he doesn’t have to work for stuff, like his house or his car. WHAT. WHAT? It boggles the mind!
ABC 6/FOX 28 reached out to Whitman, who refused to go on camera. He did say in a phone call that he’s not racist and that he regrets the interaction, simply claiming, “I lost my head.” He promptly hung up when ABC 6/FOX 28 pushed the matter, asking why he would say the n-word over and over again.
However, the next day Whitman sent a letter of apology to WSYX/WTTE. It read:
I apologize for my use of the n word towards Charles Lovett on Tuesday, July 24th. I understand that using the n-word was not only hurtful towards Lovett as an individual, but hurtful towards the Black community at large. Using the word was dehumanizing, unacceptable, and inexcusable. My actions reflect an unhealthy mindset I have developed and I need to work to change. I have served the Black community for the last 9 years, installing furnaces and water heaters with pride. My actions that day are not a reflection of my feelings towards the Black community. I also understand that racial tensions in America are higher than before, and I regret my part in contributing to that tension. I realize that words are hollow without action, and because of the hurt I have caused, I hope I have the opportunity to give back to the Black community that I have harmed in a meaningful way.
It’s insane how many people think racism is just a thing of the past when videos like this and so many others show just how alive and well it still is in this country.
