White Ohio contractor apologizes after calling black man n-word in viral road rage incident

A white Ohio contractor issued an apology on Wednesday, just one day after he was captured on video repeatedly calling a black man the n-word after he thought the man cut him off while driving. 

Jeffrey Whitman, the owner of Uriah’s Heating and Cooling in central Ohio, issued an apology obtained by a local ABC affiliate after a video of him went viral showing the white business owner confronting Charles Lovett, who is black, for allegedly cutting him while on the road.

In the video, which has picked up significant traction on social media in the past two days, Lovett said Whitman followed him to his house over a disagreement about who had the right of way in a lane.

Lovett told the station earlier this week that he began recording after Whitman pulled up to his driveway.

{mosads}Whitman said in the video that he didn’t follow Lovett to his house but was headed to his job, which he said was located in the area.

“I just want to let you know what a n—-r you are,” Whitman said to Lovett in the video after being asked how he can help him.

“You’re a rude n—-r,” Whitman continued, repeating the racial slur several times in the video.

“So, I’m a n—-r because you can’t read street signs, right?” Lovett said in response.

“You cut me off because you feel entitled — because you get everything for free,” Whitman told Lovett.

“You feel entitled because I’m black,” Lovett replied. 

“I’m glad I got all this information, that I’ll be sending to the state, since you’re a state contractor,” Lovett continued in the video. 

The original video of the incident shared by Lovett has since garnered more than 2.4 million views on Facebook and over 60,000 shares.

In a statement to the local station, Whitman apologized to Lovett and said he understands that “using the n-word was not only hurtful towards Lovett as an individual, but hurtful towards the Black community at large.”

“Using the word was dehumanizing, unacceptable, and inexcusable. My actions reflect an unhealthy mindset I have developed and I need to work to change,” Whitman, who also noted that his business has served the black community for the past nine years, said in the statement. 

“My actions that day are not a reflection of my feelings towards the Black community. I also understand that racial tensions in America are higher than before, and I regret my part in contributing to that tension,” Whitman added. “I realize that words are hollow without action, and because of the hurt I have caused, I hope I have the opportunity to give back to the Black community that I have harmed in a meaningful way.”

The incident follows several other racially charged confrontations, many of which were filmed, that have gone viral recently.