Entertainment

Madonna apologizes for using racial slur on Instagram

January 18, 2014 / 6:32 PM EST / CBS/AP

Madonna apologized Saturday for using a racial slur on Instagram to refer to her white son, seeking forgiveness a day after calling those who criticized her language "haters."

On Friday night, the singer posted a picture of her 13-year-old son, Rocco, boxing and included the comment, "No one messes with Dirty Soap! Mama said knock you out!" She then added a variation of the N-word.

She quickly deleted the comment when outraged Instagram users berated her for the use of the word, and was initially defiant. In a statement on Instagram, Madonna asked for forgiveness: "I am sorry if I offended anyone with my use of the N word on Instagram. It was not meant as a racial slur...I am not a racist. There's no way to defend the use of the word. It was all about intention. It was used as a term of endearment toward my son who is white. I appreciate that it's a provocative word and I apologize if it gave people the wrong impression. Forgive me."

She added: "MY job is to inspire and bring people together . My message has always been about tolerance and non judgement. The last thing I want to do is bring chaos or cause separation in anyway. #revolutionoflove"

Besides Rocco, she has three other children, including Lourdes, David and Mercy. Mercy and David are black, adopted from the African nation of Malawi. Rocco is Madonna's son with ex, director Guy Ritchie.

This is the second time this year that Madonna has offended people on Instagram. Earlier this month, she posted a photo of Rocco and his two young friends holding up bottles of liquor; she defended the post as a joke.

"No one was drinking we were just having fun! Calm down and get a sense of humor! Don't start the year off with judgment!" she responded on Instagram.

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