A woman from Beaverton, Oregon apologized yesterday afternoon after a video of her making racist comments to a Filipino American woman in downtown Portland went viral on Facebook. The video has been viewed over 2 million times since it was first posted by Selina Cairel last Wednesday.
In the video, the woman verbally attacks Cairel, telling her that her family are “illegals crossing the border and your parents had to probably – had to work for [expletive] dirt just to get here.”
KATU News identified the woman in the video as Sierra Measelle of Beaverton. Once her name was published, people began harassing her employers and KVAL 13 reported some even posted her address.
“That’s terrible. That’s something I really really didn’t want to happen, especially to her,” said Cairel to KVAL 13. “I apologize for people threatening your life and families and everything. I hope she’s okay.”
Measelle later posted a message on her Instagram Sunday afternoon, apologizing to Cairel and her friend for her “ignorant and hateful comments.”
“I’d like to again offer my sincere apology to Ms. Cairel and I am sorry for the ignorant, hateful comments I made to her and her friend. I’m ashamed that I let my emotions get the best of me and I reacted in such a hurtful manner that goes completely against my beliefs and morals. I’m extremely disappointed in myself and my lack of empathy.
I plan to transform this negative situation into a positive learning opportunity and I hope that people who casually and carelessly use racist language will learn from my mistakes, as I have learned that these words and actions cause others much pain. I also want to say I’m sorry to all the people affected by my comments and especially my friends, family and place of employment for the harassment they’ve received over this. This incident has definitely allowed me to see how my behavior contributes to racism and how I can and need to do better going forward.”
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RE: Oregon Woman Apologizes for Racist Tirade Gone Viral: F* her apology. She only apologized because she got recorded.
RE:Oregon Woman Apologizes for Racist Tirade Home Viral: ?What?!! Look at this supposed apology: “I’m ashamed that I let my emotions get the best of me and I reacted in such a hurtful manner that goes completely against my beliefs and morals. I’m extremely disappointed in myself and my lack of empathy.”
Empathy? For what? That an immigrant’s mother has to work for dirt? For being an illegal? That her beliefs hurt others? But not sorry that she’s a racist? Or a for her racist attitudes, behavior?
Poor dear. I guess we out here can practice empathy for someone like her – shallow and hateful. Must not feel good and certainly reflects some deep pain within her own being.
RE: Oregon Woman Apologizes for Racist Tirade Gone Viral: Only because she got caught showing her true feelings is the only reason she is sorry. She isn’t sorry for what she said. If she was she would not have said those things in the first place.