Rapped Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson was widely criticised earlier this week for publicly mocking an autistic boy on social media. In a smart and gracious damage control move, he has now donated US$100,000 to autism awareness and advocacy organisation Autism Speaks.
ICYMI, 50 Cent posted a video to Instagram of the 19-year-old airport employee, making a joke about him being high, obviously not realising of his disability. While the initial video was obviously deleted, the boy, Andrew Farrell, and his family spoke to publications in their home town of Cincinnati, asking for an apology, which Jackson obliged via PageSix.
“While the incident at the airport resulted from an unfortunate misunderstanding, I am truly sorry for offending the young man,” 50 Cent says via statement. “It was certainly not my intent to insult him or the disability community, which is a source of great strength in America. I have apologized personally to him and his family.”
The BBC report that 50 then offered to donate to Autism Speaks, and he has now stayed true to this, donating $100,000 to the organisation. According to his own blog This is 50, the Farrell family had initially asked for a $10,000 donation. In addition, he went on to say, “I am calling on my fellow musicians, actors, entertainers and all others who may not have fully considered this cause to join together to help in any way they can.”
"I want to turn this misunderstanding into an understanding …"
Read more: https://t.co/j58QlVydxO @autismspeaks pic.twitter.com/X96PetezaX— 50cent (@50cent) May 5, 2016
I’ll be honest, this is not only a smart move, but it actually feels kinda genuine (whether it is or not remains to be seen, I suppose, but 50, or at least his publicist, have done a damn good job today.) 50 Cent fucked up majorly, and he’s not only apologised for his mistake, but instead of sweeping it under the rug he’s made a major donation to an important cause. Maybe we’ll see him talk more about it in coming months – he has a huge platform and can make a real difference if he puts his mind to it.
Image: This Is 50