Not. Helping. Geraldo Rivera is apologizing for his “hoodie” remarks about Trayvon Martin that touched off a media firestorm last week, saying, “I have obscured the main point that someone shot and killed an unarmed teenager.” “I
March 28, 2012

geraldo in a hoodie OWS.jpg

Not. Helping.

Geraldo Rivera is apologizing for his “hoodie” remarks about Trayvon Martin that touched off a media firestorm last week, saying, “I have obscured the main point that someone shot and killed an unarmed teenager.”

I apologize to anyone offended by what one prominent black conservative called my ‘very practical and potentially life-saving campaign urging black and Hispanic parents not to let their children go around wearing hoodies,’” Rivera said in an email to POLITICO Tuesday, citing a piece in the National Review penned by Thomas Sowell.

Rivera said that “by putting responsibility on what kids wear instead of how people react to them I have obscured the main point that someone shot and killed an unarmed teenager,” and that he was offering a “sincere and heartfelt apology” to anyone he may have offended in his “crusade to warn minority families of the danger to their young sons inherent in gangsta style clothing; like hoodies.”

Memo to insincere apologists: Starting your apology with a caveat ("anyone offended") is not an apology. Moreover, defending your remark with a quote by a confirmed crazy person like Thomas Sowell — in the National Freaking Review — also not wise.

But really, this has to be the worst public apology I've ever seen.

"I'm sorry if you just don't understand how valuable my insights are."

"I'm sorry if you don't appreciate that my invaluable wisdom could save your kids' lives."

Or, as Coates wrote:

I apologize for pointing out the fact that your fashion choices are responsible for a wannabee cop killing your son.

Heh.

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