opinion
Video sorry
Xavier Naidoo takes a first, small step. But that’s not enough
Xavier Naidoo addresses his fans in a video.
© Youtube.com/OneLove
For years he spread hate and conspiracy stories. Now Xavier Naidoo has apologized in a video. A first step, nothing more.
So there he is in his well-known outfit with the gray Schlager cap, looking straight into the camera and trying to put things right again in a solemn voice: Xavier Naidoo admits his mistakes of the past months and years. He seems serious: the prodigal son returns and sincerely asks for forgiveness. So is everything okay now?
Not at all. The fact that the Mannheim musician so openly admits mistakes and apologizes for them is initially a good sign. “I’ve realized the wrong ways I found myself partly on,” he admits frankly. His remorse seems authentic, his words are carefully chosen: He speaks of “conspiracy stories” instead of the frequently used term “conspiracy theory” – and thus makes it clear that his long-standing theses lack any scientific basis.
Nevertheless: The video is not more than a first step, a first sign of good will. Because despite all the careful choice of words, Naidoo remains vague when it comes to naming which errors he means exactly and for which “disturbing statements” he would like to specifically apologize.
There are a few: His advocacy for the Reich Citizens’ Movement. Using anti-Semitic stereotypes in song lyrics. Spreading the QAnon conspiracy narrative. The denial of the corona pandemic and man-made climate change. And a lot more.
Xavier Naidoo is only vague
Does Naidoo see all this as a mistake? Or just some of them? And if so: what exactly? One would like to know that. But of all things, the singer is vague about this in the video: “I have opened up to theories, perspectives and sometimes also groups, from which I distance myself without any ifs and buts and renounce them.” In view of the unsavory positions that Naidoo has represented, one would like it to be more explicit here: What exactly is he distancing himself from?
The video ends in a way that Naidoo has repeatedly tried to counter criticism in recent years: with a self-description as a good person. “Everyone who knows me knows what I stand for: I stand for tolerance, diversity and peaceful coexistence. Nationalism, racism, homophobia and anti-Semitism are not compatible with my values.”
Affirmations that we have heard too often in recent years. And from which nothing followed at that time. It is difficult to believe the words unreservedly.
Nevertheless: The video published on Tuesday is a good first step. Now more must follow.