Everipedia Logo
Everipedia is now IQ.wiki - Join the IQ Brainlist and our Discord for early access to editing on the new platform and to participate in the beta testing.
Jeffrey Whitman

Jeffrey Whitman

Video of the incident

Video of the incident [3]

Jeffrey Whitman is the Owner Operator of Uriah's Heating, Cooling & Refrigeration in Powell, Ohio a small town located about 17 miles from Columbus, Ohio.

In July 2018, Whitman was caught on video calling Charles Lovett, an African American man a "nigger" several times after following Lovett home.

The incident began after a traffic related dispute.

[1] [2] [5]

In The Media

Racial Slur Incident

Photo of the victim, Charles Lovett

Photo of the victim, Charles Lovett [1]

On Tuesday, July 24, 2018 Charles Lovett posted a video on Facebook of Jeffrey Whitman calling him a "nigger" several times after allegedly following him home.

The video was shared the next day by activist, Shaun King.

In less than 48 hours the video received more than 1 million views and 30,000 shares.

Whitman later apologized to Lovett for calling him the n-word.

[3] [4] [0] [5]

According to the victim, Charles Lovett, the incident began on the morning of Tuesday, July 24, 2018 because of a disagreement over who had the right of way in a lane on Morse Road.

Charles Lovett claims the man later identified as Jeffrey Whitman got upset with him because he thought Lovett had cut him off on Morse Road in the area of Interstate 71 and Sinclair Road.

Charles Lovett says that Whitman nearly sideswiped him trying to cross over from the Sinclair Road lane into the Morse Road lane, and Lovett honked at him.

[1] [5]

Charles Lovett says that's when the Jeffrey Whitman, who was in his company's Uriahs Heating Cooling Refrigeration work vehicle at the time, followed him to his house in a nearby north Columbus, Ohio neighborhood.

As Lovett got out of his car in his driveway, he began recording on his iPhone as he walked toward the van at the end of his driveway.

[1] [5]

In the video, the Jeffrey Whitman says he didn't follow Charles Lovett to his house, but is headed to a job in the area.

[1] [5]

"I just want to let you know what a nigger you are," the Jeffrey Whitman can be heard saying, after Charles Lovett asked how he can help him.

[1] [5]

Jeffrey Whitman continues, repeating the line multiple times, then tells Charles Lovett, "You're a rude nigger."

[1] [5]

"So, I'm a nigger because you can't read street signs right?" Charles Lovett challenges.

[1] [5]

The Jeffrey Whitman then argues with Chalres Lovett about whether he cut him off, and tells Charles Lovett he feels entitled.

"How do I feel entitled?" Charles Lovett challenges.

"You feel entitled because I'm black."

[5] [1]

The confrontation changes, as Jeffrey Whitman challenges Charles Lovett's comments about working for what he has, asking, "You got a job?" and "You paid for that?" in reference to his car.

[5] [1]

The almost three-minute confrontation was all captured on video, as they continue arguing about who had the right of way, with the employee telling Lovett his rudeness is unacceptable and he's glad he got to tell him that.

[1] [5]

"I'm glad I got all this information, that I'll be sending to the state, since you're a state contractor," Charles Lovett says, pointing at the truck that shows Uriahs' logo.

The van also shows a "State Contracting License" text with the company's license number.

[1] [5]

Apology

ABC 6/FOX 28 reached out to the driver, Jeffrey Whitman who is also the owner of the company.

While he refused to go on camera, Jeffrey Whitman said in a phone call that he's not a racist and that he regrets it.

[1]

He said, "I lost my head."

Jeffrey Whitman added that after Lovett posted the video on Facebook, he began receiving threats.

When ABC 6/FOX 28 asked why he would say that word over and over, he hung up.

[1]

On Wednesday, July 25, 2018, Jeffrey Whitman released a statement apologizing for the incident.

[0]

"To Charles Lovett and the community, I apologize for my use of the n word towards Charles Lovett on Tuesday, July 24th.

I understand 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.

I have served the Black community for the last 9 years, installing furnaces and water heaters with pride.

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.

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."

[0]

Charles Lovett's Response

{ "index": 2, "tag_type": "div", "attrs": { "className": "sd-news-story-container", "data-title": "'You're a rude n-----:' Contractor calls black man racist slur during confrontation", "data-url": "/news/local/youre-a-rude-n-contractor-calls-black-man-racial-slur-during-confrontation", "data-uuid": "b1607b01-24c2-4d57-b2b5-b96c61d505dd" }, "items": [] }

References

[1]
Citation Linkabc6onyourside.comABC 6/FOX 28: Business owner apologizes for using racist slur in confrontation caught on video
Jul 25, 2018, 8:28 PM
[2]
Citation Linkabc6onyourside.comABC 6/FOX 28: 'You're a rude n-----:' Contractor calls black man racist slur during confrontation
Jul 25, 2018, 8:29 PM
[3]
Citation Linkbbb.orgBetter Business Bureauprofile of Uriah's Heating, Cooling & Refrigeration
Jul 25, 2018, 8:36 PM
[4]
Citation Linkfacebook.comOriginal video of the incident posted by the victim, Charles Lovett
Jul 25, 2018, 9:07 PM
[5]
Citation Linkfacebook.comThe video was shared by activist, Shaun King.
Jul 25, 2018, 9:12 PM
[6]
Citation Linkywqaugeunhowzrcj.public.blob.vercel-storage.comVideo of the incident [3]
Jul 25, 2018, 9:20 PM
[7]
Citation Linkywqaugeunhowzrcj.public.blob.vercel-storage.comPhoto of the victim, Charles Lovett [1]
Jul 25, 2018, 9:32 PM