This Anti-Semitic Viral Video Resurfaced – Here’s What You Need To Know
This is not the first time that the video of the Hasidic boy has surfaced the internet. Image by Facebook
By Adrianna Chaviva Freedman June 5, 2019
Almost exactly a year ago, Quai James became internet infamous when a video surfaced of him taunting a young Hasidic boy on the streets of Brooklyn. The initial clip, which gained over a million views within its first days of hitting the internet, featured him saying, “I’d be crying if I looked like that too, bro. That’s f**ked up what they be doing to y’all.”
The incident prompted discussions within the Jewish community about anti-Semitism and the power of social media. But it became even more impactful after James realized his mistake and tried to make amends.
But even though James deleted his video last year, it found itself back on Twitter over the weekend.
Because the internet is a cesspool from which nothing can ever escape, that viral video from last year mocking a Hasidic child resurfaced – and got more than 10,000 retweets before the account was deleted pic.twitter.com/MqenIZmVmK
— Aiden Pink (@aidenpink) June 3, 2019
The Forward reported on this story from the beginning. Here’s what you need to know:
Viral Video Of Grown Man Taunting Hasidic Boy Gets Millions Of Views
The video, first found on Facebook, was criticized all over social media. “If you make a video like this or laugh at it you are absolute garbage,” one user wrote on Twitter at the time.
Man Apologizes For Viral Video Taunting Hasidic Child
Soon after the video went viral, James posted a clip to his Twitter account, apologizing for what he said about the child.
Good afternoon to everyone watching .. I’m truly sorry for my actions .. @FonrougeGab pic.twitter.com/HaO4cwGaWN
— Quai James (@quaijames) May 8, 2018
Quai James Does Teshuva At Jewish Soup Kitchen
Close to two weeks after the scandal, James was seen volunteering at Masbia, a Jewish soup kitchen in Brooklyn. “I myself reported the original clip to Twitter,” Masbia executive director Alexander Rappaport said at the time. “But I have something to learn from Quai, and that is how to sincerely apologize.”
Early morning @quaijames came to #volunteer at #Masbia of #Flatbush on the invitation of our supporters and volunteers on @Twitter to serve people in need and to learn how to further bridge the gap between communities. pic.twitter.com/WQ96i4eWNI
— Masbia Soup Kitchens (@Masbia) May 17, 2018
He Went Viral For Mocking A Jewish Child’s Hair – But Will Be Remembered For His Heartfelt Apology
As the scandal was occurring, James stopped by The Forward to talk about the video and the aftermath of the incident.
How Internet Culture Gave Us A Video Of A Hasidic Boy Being Taunted
In an opinion piece, writer Ben Faulding discusses how the nature of the internet and the introduction of the since-defunct app Vine led to videos such as the one James recorded.
Adrianna Chaviva Freedman is the Social Media Intern for the Forward. You can reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter @ac_freedman
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning journalism this Passover.
In this age of misinformation, our work is needed like never before. We report on the news that matters most to American Jews, driven by truth, not ideology.
At a time when newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall. That means for the first time in our 126-year history, Forward journalism is free to everyone, everywhere. With an ongoing war, rising antisemitism, and a flood of disinformation that may affect the upcoming election, we believe that free and open access to Jewish journalism is imperative.
Readers like you make it all possible. Right now, we’re in the middle of our Passover Pledge Drive and we still need 300 people to step up and make a gift to sustain our trustworthy, independent journalism.
Make a gift of any size and become a Forward member today. You’ll support our mission to tell the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
Join our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
Only 300 more gifts needed by April 30
