Words Mean Things, But (Sincere) Apologies Do Too: My Thoughts on Justin McClure
Here are some things you need to know about me:
- I am married to a white man
- We have a biracial child together
- I don't owe you a goddamn explanation for either
I say this because I often get "why would you date a white guy" and no. No. No, sir. I don't owe you shit.
When I was 12 years old, I told myself I would marry someone who loves Buffy The Vampire Slayer as much as I do. After dating a short while, I found out this dude was literally in the Buffy fan club. Wedding bells rang almost immediately.
Saying that to say, interracial couples are always under scrutiny. It doesn't matter how alike you are or that your SO, who happens to be white, was the only one holding your hand in the hospital, your relationship only exists because somewhere deep down you hate black men so much.
It's exhausting to hear that shit.
So looking at the McClures, it was refreshing. They had such real conversations, such love for each other and their children that you couldn't help but be inspired by it.
So hearing that Daddy McClure said some racist shit in the past was disappointing. It hurt because I looked up to this couple. I enjoyed watching them interact with their children in a healthy manner
But watching his apology affirmed my faith in humanity. Watch the full video here
I am a strict believer in apology form. There will be no fauxpologies on my watch. This is what I did NOT hear in Justin's apology
- "I'm sorry if..."
- "I'm sorry but..."
- "I have three black children so..."
Those statements would have been red flags for me, but the structure of his apology felt sincere because:
- He owned up to those statements
- He recognized the impact of those statements
- He apologized to his wife for hurting and embarrassing her
- He talked to his children as another way of showing accountability
- He recognized that this apology may not be enough for some people, without mocking or belittling them.
I think if you still refuse to support these YouTubers after this, that's fair. This post isn't to sway your opinion. This post is to make you aware of apologies when they are sincere. In my honest opinion, nothing about Justin's apology screamed "A PR PERSON WROTE THIS" to me. Instead, after watching him be vulnerable on camera so many times, it not only felt sincere, it felt authentic to who he was.
I usually watch The McClure Twins in order to understand parenting more. But this apology video actually taught me that marriages aren't perfect, and interracial marriages have their own set of daily battles. But with the right two people, they can win those battles each day.
You know who can't apologize for shit? Roseanne.
Tell me your thoughts on Justin McClure and what you feel is a sincere apology. Drop a comment below.