'White guilt' video presenter: 'I will never apologize'

HENRICO, VA (WWBT) - The controversial, so called, "white guilt" video played at a Virginia school's Black History Month program has gotten national attention.

School leaders have apologized, but at least one county leader slammed the apology. The man who presented the video is now speaking out.

The YouTube video titled "Structural Discrimination: The Unequal Opportunity Race," was shown to students at Glen Allen High School.

"They were engaged," said presenter Dr. Ravi K. Perry who is president of the National Association for Ethnic Studies. "They were excited."

Perry said he was invited to speak to students in response to the racist song played at a Glen Allen football game back in October. Perry also said he was given 25 minutes to speak.

"To talk about the Black History experience in the United States," said Perry. "I joked that then leaves roughly 13 years per minute."

That's why Perry said he turned to the video that chronicles things like slavery, segregation, and racial profiling in less than 5 minutes. Outrage ensued.

"They are sitting there watching a video that is dividing them up from a racial standpoint," said concerned grandfather Don Blake. "It's a white guilt kind of video."

Perry disagreed.

"Usually when there is criticism that means you must be doing something right. I will never apologize," said Perry, "There is nothing to apologize for. I feel as though the principal of Glen Allen...the administrators should be awarded."

Instead, school leaders have launched an investigation, issued an apology, and banned the video.

"There is nothing in that video that is inaccurate, and the fact that that is not part of the curriculum in any substantive way," said Perry. "All Virginians should be embarrassed."

Perry admitted the video tackled topics that might make some uncomfortable.

"My primary responsibility there was to educate the high school students," said Perry. "The fact that parents and family and people outside of Richmond and now across the country have found the video objectionable is really less of my concern."

There have been several calls for a community forum on this topic. School leaders said they have no announcements at this time. Perry said he plans to continue showing the video at future school appearances.

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