Family of autistic man mocked by 50 Cent accepts apology

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50 CentImage source, AFP

The family of an autistic airport worker mocked by 50 Cent has apparently accepted his apology.

Andrew Farrell's stepfather, Ken Kramer, says "we have chosen to accept" the rapper's apology, according to a number of US sites.

It's after 50 Cent tweeted a video of himself teasing Farrell at Cincinatti/Northern Kentucky Airport.

He said the janitor seemed "high" and that "the new generation is crazy" but Farrell didn't appear to respond.

Instagram user Rusty Stone quickly identified the man as his 19-year-old former classmate.

"I went to school with him," he wrote. "He has extreme social difficulties, just to let you know. He has a hard enough time getting through life without jackasses like you making fun of him. I hope you feel good about yourself. You just lost a huge fan."

He also tagged Farrell in the post, whose most recent Instagram photo has been flooded with support from all over the world - with comments coming in from users in Canada, Holland, Scotland, the Netherlands and Croatia.

It's also been revealed that this was his first job, which he'd been working in for just a month.

"We would first like to thank everyone for the amazing amount of support that they have shown over the past few days. It has been an emotional roller coaster that we are ready to put to rest," the family statement said.

Image source, Youtube
Image caption,

A screenshot from the video posted on 50 Cent's social media platforms of him mocking Andrew Farrell

"As requested we have received a letter apologising for 50 Cent's behaviour and we have chosen to accept it, along with a request that a donation be made to Autism Speaks.

"Though a letter of apology will not undo what 50 Cent has put our family through, we are choosing to forgive," the email explains.

"A great lesson can be learned from this heartbreaking situation. Regardless of the way that another person appears to you, it is never ok to publicly humiliate them via social media.

"We hope that this situation brings more awareness to what people with autism and other forms of social anxiety suffer through on a daily basis. Again, we thank the growing number of supporters who have shown both love and acceptance during this difficult time."

50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, has deleted the original video.

He said: "While the incident at the airport resulted from an unfortunate misunderstanding, I am truly sorry for offending the young man.

"It was certainly not my intent to insult him or the disability community, which is a source of great strength in America.

"I have apologised personally to him and his family."

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