Today I announced I would start working for the Bernie Sanders campaign after I made a viral video successfully exposing mainstream media bias against Bernie Sanders. Soon afterwards I received a harsh introduction to life in politics, having my short life’s work closely scrutinized by the Sanders campaign’s political opponents.

When I was about 20 yrs old, I edited MLK audio, to expose how easily media can completely misrepresent reality. My intention has been clearly stated in the Youtube description for 10 years, to be “a good reminder that media on tv or the web can be edited to really twist facts/reality.”

This part of the Youtube description was conveniently left out of all the posts calling me “racist”.

I am embarrassed to say it was also a pathetic attempt at comedy. There was a time when the vulgar ridiculousness of the final product made me laugh. Looking back at it now makes me ill. I choose not to delete it only because I want to be fully transparent. I’m sincerely sorry I ever made it.

In addition to being greatly embarrassed, I’m sad. I’m sad that all those who share details from my immature youth completely out of context do not share the many other MLK videos I’ve made that are actually worth sharing.

My new critics will never share the videos that celebrate MLK and the civil rights movement. They will never share the videos documenting MLK’s powerful words on “The Myth of Time”; “A Burning House”, or “Economic Justice”. But I guess that’s just politics.

In addition to being labeled “racist”, I am now also under scrutiny for using the words “retarded” and “gay” in old videos. Despite my past use of the word “retarded”, I hold absolutely no prejudice toward anyone with special needs. In fact, I live happily with my adult special needs younger brother.

Likewise, many years ago in my 20’s, I referred to the cliche use of clones in youtube videos as “gay”. Growing up it was a term used regularly and casually by my peers to refer to something “silly” or “lame” — not actually referring to homosexuality at all. I’ve never had any issues with anyone’s sexuality.

I’m not proud of my past contribution to the endless supply of dumb Youtube videos. Eventually though, I realized the last thing the world needs is another dumb youtube video. So I began to focus on making videos that served a real purpose. Videos I felt somebody needed to make. Videos I feel good about making.

What inspired my viral video, “Rise Up”, was Bernie Sanders and his supporters who consistently and admirably rise above the endless ad-hominem attacks to talk about what Americans are most concerned about. That’s why I have decided to not join the Sanders campaign. I don’t want my dumb 10 year old youtube video to distract from the real issues.