Alexandra Wallace apologizes for racist video: Too little, too late?

UCLA student Alexandra Wallace might have apologized for her racist YouTube video about Asian students, but it's too late. The video is now archived on the web forever -- and the two-minute video will affect her reputation, relationships and career options for the foreseeable future.

Alexandra Wallace shocking rant

The shocking video is Wallace's ranting vlog about how loud she thinks Asian students are while she's trying to study in the library. She prefaces her rant with a disclaimer, saying she's not talking about her friends. However, her comments about the recent Japan tsunami and generalizations about Asian languages shows that she has some definite prejudiced views about other races.

Watch Alexandra Wallace's rant

Will this affect her future?

Wallace realized the error of her ways after the video went viral a few hours after she posted it. However, the video was already all over the web -- and copies were posted on other YouTube accounts for the world to see.

"Clearly the original video posted by me was inappropriate," she said in a statement in the UCLA student newspaper. "I cannot explain what possessed me to approach the subject as I did, and if I could undo it, I would. I'd like to offer my apology to the entire UCLA campus. For those who cannot find it within them to accept my apology, I understand."

Wallace may have apologized for posting the video, but the damage is already done -- the video will follow her as she matures and tries to establish a career. Many employers and college admission committees consider an applicant's online reputation when deciding whether or not to accept his or her. Will an employer be willing to give Wallace a chance after she openly discussed her racial bias?

Probably not -- companies don't want any part of someone with a bad reputation.

Can she eventually get past this? Yes, but we suggest she do some genuine soul searching and find a way to publicly mend her reputation.

Lessons for you

Take Wallace's video as a wake-up call for your own social media habits: don't post questionable videos, photos or messages that can be tied back to you. People are watching -- and even one negative photo or blog post can disqualify you from the career of your dreams.

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