Stormzy apologises for ‘foul’ tweets
GRIME star Stormzy is probably wishing he’d taken his own advice and Shut Up as homophobic tweets have emerged from when he was a young man.
The chart-topper, 24, has issued a whole-hearted apology for the ‘foul and offensive things’ he said, after the website PinkNews uncovered the posts from between 2011 and 2014.
Taking to Twitter, a contrite Stormzy wrote: ‘I said some foul and offensive things whilst tweeting years ago at a time when I was young and proudly ignorant. Very hurtful and discriminative views that I’ve unlearned as I’ve grown up and become a man.
‘The comments I made were unacceptable and disgusting, full stop. Comments that I regret and to everyone I’ve offended, I am sorry, these are attitudes I’ve left in the past.
‘The homophobic language I used was, embarrassingly, a part of my vocabulary when I was younger and ignorance made me feel comfortable to use them whilst not understanding the hate and the ramifications they carry.
‘That isn’t an excuse, I take responsibility for my mistakes and hope you can understand that my younger self doesn’t reflect who I am today.
‘Again, I’m sorry to everyone I’ve offended. To the LGBQT community and my supporters and friends, my deepest apologies.’
Some fans praised the MOBO award-winner for owning his mistakes, but others wanted to see Stormzy take more practical action.
One wrote: ‘As a fan of yours from the LGBT+ community, when I hear people say that they’ve changed, I think ok, but let’s see it. Talk is cheap. Show it every day, be a true ally.’
Another agreed, urging him to, ‘Become an ambassador for gay rights. Prove them wrong’.
Stormzy has been a vocal supporter of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and has spoken out in the past on mental health issues among black men.
Author: Anna Thomson
