The Ghost Inside part ways with bassist after past racist remark

June 6, 2020

The Ghost Inside are parting ways with bassist Jim Riley after a situation with him calling their bus driver a racial slur was brought back to light by Bracewar drummer Rashod Jackson.

The band offer a statement addressing the fact they heard about the incident and never looked into it further when they should have.

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No “Dude sorry” isn’t a good enough apology when it comes to racism. Are you a privileged white persona too? Sounds like it “bro” https://t.co/M3RFkaOfzX

— Shod Exotic (@RashodJackson) June 5, 2020

do you think apologizing to a man he feared would crush his face for repeatedly saying “gotta go pay the nigger” in reference to their black bus driver (only apologizing from that fear, not accepting his actual problem) should be seen as case closed?

— Martín (@ForeverLawless) June 5, 2020

Now, the band are parting ways with Riley as per their announcement made today (June 6). You can read their full statement below.

“The Ghost Inside was born from a scene of forward thinking, understanding and progressiveness. Our music and message has always been one of hope and finding that light at the end of the tunnel. Racism and bigotry of any kind stifle that journey towards the light. It closes and locks doors that need to be broken open.

We have decided to part ways with bassist Jim Riley. While we didn’t hear these words spoken directly from his mouth, we did hear mutterings of the incident. At the time we thought this to be just a rumor, but it offended and hurt a community. A community we are meant to bring together. We should’ve spoken up back then but we didn’t, we should’ve dug deeper. We acknowledge that we were silent. We are self educating and growing and learning as individuals. We are here to say that we as a band fully condemn racism and support the black community in the fight against systemic racism.”