The former band director at Pearl River Community College is apologizing for statements he made about rioters that led to his resignation.
Reuben McDowell described the events of this week as “simply devastating.”
“First off, it goes without saying that I want to offer my sincerest heartfelt apology to the entire Pearl River Community College family, to all the students I have had the privilege to teach over the past 28 years, to my church family, and to my precious family for my inappropriate comments,” he said in a statement. “You don’t ever want anything you do or say to be cause for negative attention or embarrassment. As an adult in my position, I should have exhibited more self-control than allow my emotions to get the best of me."
McDowell, who lives in Columbia, resigned as the band director at PRCC Tuesday following remarks made on Facebook Sunday evening. He posted comments on a Fox News story that pertained to protests turning violent in a San Diego suburb where rioters destroyed two banks.
McDowell said in anger and frustration of the violent riots wracking the country, two posts were made:
“Overwhelming force. Time to shut this s--t down. Make some examples and watch the rest scatter. Take. Control.”
“Start shootin a few and the rest will scatter.”
A student at Pearl River Community College took a screen shot of McDowell’s posts and sent it to the administration. After meeting with the administration, McDowell said he decided it was in the best interest of the college to resign his position.
PRCC President Adam Breerwood issued a statement on Tuesday saying:
“There are no words to effectively communicate the sincerity of the message. I am saddened today. I am distraught and disappointed. I have received hundreds of messages regarding recent comments that were made by a PRCC instructor who is no longer employed at the college.
“To the faculty, staff, students, alumni and all members of our surrounding communities please know this individual’s comments are not reflective of our values and beliefs. On behalf of Pearl River Community College, please accept my sincere apology for the comments made by this former employee. Pearl River remains committed to being part of the solution we all seek.”
Former assistant Michael Bass was named director of bands at PRCC following McDowell’s departure and posted a statement on Facebook echoing Breerwood’s remarks.
Sitting in his living room Thursday afternoon, a very broken McDowell said he is still trying to take it in and make sense of everything.
“Working at Pearl River Community College was the best job ever. I hold no ill will. The administration has been fantastic. I never met anyone who wasn’t happy to be there,” he said, fighting tears.
Regarding the posts, McDowell said it was breaking his heart watching the country being destroyed. He said he was referring to the looters, the ones being violent, regardless of race, ethnicity or skin color.
McDowell has since deleted his social media account.
McDowell was previously the band director at Columbia High, taking the band for 11 straight years to the state competition, placing first six times and second five times. He had been at PRCC for five years.
McDowell issued a statement Thursday that said in part:
“If there was ever a time when I wish I could undo or redo something, this would be the time. Although they were most certainly NOT spoken with the factor of race in mind, I do understand how they could be interpreted as such, in the turbulent times we are living in. Never would I ever purposefully say anything to harm, insult, demean or alienate any group of students, parents, or colleagues that I have worked with. Those who know me know my heart, and how hard we have all worked together – people with all kinds of racial, ethnic and economic backgrounds – over many years to give our students, schools, and communities something they can take pride in. It breaks my heart to know that something I expressed has been interpreted in a way that does harm to the very people that I have worked so hard to help and influence in a positive way.
“Therefore, to those who believe them to have been spoken in such a manner, all I can do is offer my sincere and heartfelt apology and the assurance that they were never meant in that way. For those hurt or offended, all I can do is ask forgiveness,” he said in his statement.
Being considered a racist or anything along those lines is something that McDowell said is very hurtful. For years he said he has tried to help all of his students regardless of color, ethnicity or economic background. With the band program, McDowell said he knows once the majority of students leave high school or college, that is the end of their musical career so he tried to make the program fun for them.
McDowell said he doesn’t know what the next step is yet; he said all he can do is trust God.
