J Balvin apologizes after music video sparks backlash over portrayal of Black women
CBSN
J Balvin has apologized to fans after viewers complained his new music video was racist for its portrayal of Black women. The video for his song "Perra" has also been pulled from YouTube.
"I want to say sorry to whomever felt offended, especially to the Black community," the Colombian artist said Sunday on Instagram. "That's not who I am. I'm about tolerance, love and inclusivity. I also like to support new artists, in this case, Tokischa, a woman who supports her people, her community and also empowers women."
"As a form of respect, I removed the video eight days ago. But because the criticism continued, I'm here making a statement," he added. "Mom, I'm sorry, too. Life gets better each day. Thank you for listening to me."
Ashley White received her earliest combat action badge from the United States Army soon after the first lieutenant arrived in Afghanistan. The silver military award, recognizing soldiers who've been personally engaged by an attacker during conflict, was considered an achievement in and of itself as well as an affirming rite of passage for the newly deployed. White had earned it for using her own body to shield a group of civilian women and children from gunfire that broke out in the midst of her third mission in Kandahar province. All of them survived. She never mentioned the badge to anyone in her battalion.