The courage of apology
Issue date: 4/25/07 Section: Editorial
Last update: 4/25/07 at 7:36 AM EST
Last update: 4/25/07 at 7:36 AM EST
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Last Thursday, the popular rapper Common set aside lyrics in favor of another form of expression: a public apology. Common, who is performing at this evening's Last Day of Classes concert, apologized for comments he made at an April 19, 2006, concert at Emory University. While on stage, the rapper had denounced the Duke men's lacrosse team and proclaimed them guilty of raping a black Durham woman, a crime that members of the team were wrongly accused of committing at the time.
"I want to say first of all that I apologize for accusing people wrong that didn't do it," Common told The Raleigh News & Observer in his apology Thursday. "I just felt like, 'That's my sister,' so I felt emotional about it, and I guess I did what a lot of people do to other people, to convict them or consider them guilty before we even know the truth."
We applaud Common's decision to apologize. Since the charges against the three former men's lacrosse players were dropped, Duke students and public observers alike have been waiting for individuals who publicly pre-judged the accused to step forward and admit their wrongs. For Common to do so is a sign of integrity, maturity and courage.
Granted, the apology came just a week before his LDOC concert, leading many to call it a "public relations move." Some students had said that based on the rapper's comments at Emory, they would boycott or protest LDOC, and it is feasible that the rapper apologized when and in the manner he did to diffuse possible tension at his performance.
But we can only speculate about his motives, and really, what they were is not the point. The point is that he apologized; in the eye of the public.
Moreover, the apology bodes well for LDOC. In a previous editorial, we had noted our disappointment and frustration that Common's statements would render the traditionally unifying LDOC event divisive. His apology undoubtedly will serve to quell some students' anger and, hopefully, bring them to the quad. For that, we are thankful.
"I want to say first of all that I apologize for accusing people wrong that didn't do it," Common told The Raleigh News & Observer in his apology Thursday. "I just felt like, 'That's my sister,' so I felt emotional about it, and I guess I did what a lot of people do to other people, to convict them or consider them guilty before we even know the truth."
We applaud Common's decision to apologize. Since the charges against the three former men's lacrosse players were dropped, Duke students and public observers alike have been waiting for individuals who publicly pre-judged the accused to step forward and admit their wrongs. For Common to do so is a sign of integrity, maturity and courage.
Granted, the apology came just a week before his LDOC concert, leading many to call it a "public relations move." Some students had said that based on the rapper's comments at Emory, they would boycott or protest LDOC, and it is feasible that the rapper apologized when and in the manner he did to diffuse possible tension at his performance.
But we can only speculate about his motives, and really, what they were is not the point. The point is that he apologized; in the eye of the public.
Moreover, the apology bodes well for LDOC. In a previous editorial, we had noted our disappointment and frustration that Common's statements would render the traditionally unifying LDOC event divisive. His apology undoubtedly will serve to quell some students' anger and, hopefully, bring them to the quad. For that, we are thankful.
Viewing Comments 1 - 8 of 16
Thankful
posted 4/25/07 @ 8:27 AM EST
THIS SPACE RESERVED
FOR THE APOLOGY
OF RICHARD BROADHEAD
Savant
posted 4/25/07 @ 10:12 AM EST
The apologies that are needed most are being withheld by people who feel that an apology will be an admission of error.
Everyone already knows you have erred. (Continued…)
Duke Jr
posted 4/25/07 @ 2:01 PM EST
We are looking forward to hear from you. Making a mistake is human. Refusing to acknowledge that a mistake has been made is short-sighted though, and does not bode well for an honest academic - who should be willing to revise her beliefs when contradictory evidence surfaces. (Continued…)
sara
posted 4/25/07 @ 2:29 PM EST
I forgive him and will never bring it up again unless he race baits in the future.
This is what decent people do with one another. Take Imus, for example. (Continued…)
Ed
posted 4/25/07 @ 4:52 PM EST
I just hope the 88, potbangers, NAACP, Jackson/Sharpton and other "shakedowners" don't decide to protest Common. As Sara said, he apologized, everyone appreciates that, and it is not us to assign motive. (Continued…)
Frustrated Student
posted 4/25/07 @ 6:48 PM EST
From the very beginning, people failed to realize the hate that one must have to commit such atroicous crimes. Just because one is rich, white, male, and used to getting what they want doesn't mean they will commit rape. (Continued…)
peter
posted 4/25/07 @ 10:24 PM EST
"we laud them..." give me a break. we should shame them, regardless of their too-little, too-late apology. How come they aren't feverently going after the Sharptons and Jessie Jacksons of the world who are so dishonest as to warrant prosection. (Continued…)
Daniel
posted 4/29/07 @ 8:42 PM EST
Has the Chronicle appologized for their line stating that Saddam had ties to Al Qaeda four years ago?
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