DIIV release official statement about Devin Ruben Perez's recent actions
Over the weekend it was reported by a number of outlets that DIIV bassist Devin Ruben Perez had been posting homophobic, sexist, racist and all-round derogatory remarks on nefarious troll den 4chan.
Controversy flared up from all angles, with DIIV's mainman Zachary Cole Smith trying to calm the situation on Twitter by condemning the words of his friend/bandmate. Perez has been staying mostly silent, only surfacing to attempt to defend his actions. He is yet to apologise directly.
@skyferreira I'm not sexist, racist or a misogynist and anyone who knows me knows that. I just said some dumb shit on an anime message board
— Devin Ruben Perez (@sserpent) December 14, 2014
A representative of DIIV has issued this statement:
“Cole doesn’t stand for any bigotry, hatred, sexism racism or homophobia, especially when it’s manifest in his own band. Cole and Devin are discussing what happened and his future in the band. Devin acknowledges what he did is very wrong. 4chan is a poisonous place. It’s the bowels of the internet. A place where Devin lost sight of what’s remotely appropriate and what isn’t. Racial slurs and sexist remarks are practically what comprise the entirety of the site. It’s important to examine the context of his comments, not to excuse them, but rather because it is a place that breeds, proliferates, and encourages dark and violent ideologies disguised as humor.
It needs to be exposed. It’s lurking just beneath the surface and it’s everywhere. Every journalist covering this story has a responsibility to expose 4chan for what it is. But regardless of the context, what Devin said is inexcusable. It will not be tolerated in the band or anywhere. But ultimately Cole and Devin are very close friends so this is a very hard thing for him to swallow, seeing such unexpected behavior like this from such a close friend. It is not being tolerated and is being dealt with right now.”
DIIV are scheduled to play London's Field Day 2015.
Perez's future is uncertain. We will update with more news when we have it.
@LordOJHughes it's ironic how internet trolls seem to make up abt 95% of those outraged over the fact my band contain(ed) an internet troll
— DIIV (@DIIV) December 14, 2014
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