WATCH: Man Apologizes for Viral Video Mocking Hassidic Boy

The man who posted a video on social media ridiculing the hairstyle of a young Hasidic boy apologized in a second, heartfelt, video.

“I’m sorry, I’m truly sorry,” Quai James of Yonkers, New York, said in a two-minute video apology on Tuesday morning, becoming flustered as he attempts to get across how sorry he is. “Like I think about it every day now. If it was my little brother … you’re right. I have nothing against Jewish people.”

He sadded that he has many friends who are Jewish. He called the video “immature” and said it amounted to “bullying.”

The original video showed a crying young boy with long sidecurls and the rest of his hair shaved close. James is heard telling the child from behind the camera: “I’d be crying if I looked like that too bro. That’s f*cked up what they be doing to you.”

A disturbing video showing a young Chassidic boy being ridiculed with foul language about his looks has gone viral, drawing condemnation of the person who filmed it. . The clip showed the boy walking down what seemed to be a street in Brooklyn and being met at an adult ranting about his haircut – a shaved head under the kippah and long payos, a typical Chassidic look. . The video was viewed well over 1 million times, before being deleted from Facebook and Twitter – although it still remains on Reddit titled “Guy makes fun of Hasidic child.” . The Jerusalem Post identified the adult as Quai James who first posted it on Facebook on Saturday. . “Had to really let my son know how i felt about the whole Jewish Haircut… Pray for the lil homie,” James first wrote. He later edited the post, and removed the word Jewish from the caption. Link to the full story in our bio – What do you guys think, Anti-Semitic or just mean?

A post shared by COLlive (@colliveofficial) on May 7, 2018 at 12:06pm PDT

James wrote in the post: “Had to really let my son know how i felt about the whole Jewish Haircut… Pray for the lil homie.”

The post was removed from both Facebook and Twitter, but not before it had been viewed 1 million times and liked more than 100,000 times. The post remains preserved in screenshots. Many viewers were appalled that James would mock a crying child. People and organizations on social media called it “sickening,” “unconscionable,” “gross,” and “dehumanizing,” as well as anti-Semitic.

Good afternoon to everyone watching .. I’m truly sorry for my actions .. @FonrougeGab pic.twitter.com/HaO4cwGaWN

— Quai James (@quaijames) May 8, 2018

In his apology, James, who is African-American, also said: “I don’t want this to be a race thing. They done been through too much. We’ve been through as much as they’ve been through and they’ve been through worse.”

James earned praised for his apology on social media and YouTube.

Mr. James, you are what we would call a mentsch. You accepted, and you’ve repented. Hindsight is always 20-20. Glad you were able to realize that. Thank you for your words; they are truly meaningful. Any time you want to walk the streets of my neighborhood with me, I’m happy to.

— Kalman Yeger (@KalmanYeger) May 8, 2018

You have me convinced. As someone who retweeted your video and criticized you for it, wanting to defend that little Jewish boy, I accept your apology. It’s heartfelt and genuine. A lot of people can learn from your example. I wish you success and happiness. https://t.co/UGXUZNCqny

— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) May 9, 2018