UW-Madison student apologizes for racist social media video, calling comments 'completely inexcusable'
The University of Wisconsin-Madison student at the center of a racist social media video that caused outrage and protests on campus last month came forward Monday to apologize for her comments.
Audrey Godlewski, who has not responded to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel inquiries last month or this week, told The Daily Cardinal, a student newspaper, that she will reflect and learn so she doesn't cause similar harm in the future. The Journal Sentinel did not name the student last month because it was unable to independently verify the student's identity but is naming her now because she came forward to campus media.
"My words were utterly disgusting and unacceptable, whether in public or private," Godlewski said. "This is completely inexcusable, and I accept full responsibility for the pain and anger that I have caused across campus. Moreover, I know that no words can undo the hurt I have caused throughout the community, and for that I am deeply sorry."
More than 65,000 people signed an online petition calling for Godlewski's expulsion after a video surfaced on several social media platforms in early May. The video showed her using racist slurs and saying she wanted to return Black people to slavery and abuse them.
UW-Madison condemned the language, calling it deeply racist and offensive. But university officials also said that, as a public institution, UW-Madison is bound by the First Amendment, which protects a person's right to say hateful things on personal social media accounts.
UW-Madison also encouraged students to rise above their anger and respond in a peaceful manner, citing reports about Godlewski receiving threats of violence and harm.
The university's response frustrated many Black students. Hundreds held a sit-in in Bascom Hall, where the Chancellor's Office is housed, to demand more.
The Blk Pwr Coalition, a new student group that formed the week Godlewski's video swept across campus, met with campus administrators to improve the campus climate. The group said it was glad to hear Godlewski apologized but also expressed disappointment that she had released a statement to campus media before consulting and apologizing directly to Black students.
"In short, we are tired of people reflecting and learning from the trauma that they inflict upon us," the Blk Pwr Coalition said in a statement posted on Instagram. "It is time for white people to divorce themselves of their privilege and power. It is time for a redistribution of resources. It is time for people to stand firmly behind Black Student Leadership."
Godlewski is listed as a nurse aide in the state caregiver registry.
In La Crosse County, where Godlewski previously worked but hadn't been on the schedule since January, officials investigated her employment status, a county official told the Journal Sentinel on May 4. By the middle of the month, she was no longer employed there. A La Crosse County official wouldn't specify which facility she worked at nor say whether she had resigned or been fired.
"We are aware of the video and condemn in the strongest possible terms the racist and harmful slurs it contains, which do not represent our values," the statement said. "La Crosse County is committed to creating a safe and inclusive workplace for all employees and the public."
Contact Kelly Meyerhofer at kmeyerhofer@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @KellyMeyerhofer.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: UW-Madison student Audrey Godlewski apologizes for racist social media video
