Mel Gibson, Nick Cannon, and Apologizing for Antisemitic Statements

I’m someone who takes celebrity apologies with a large grain of salt. To put it another way, I have doubts they’re worth the breath it takes to issue them. Whether because of racist, antisemitic, misogynistic, xenophobic, or homophobic statements — or any hurtful, false statements about individuals or groups — they tend of be non-apology apologies.
 
Here are some key phrases to look for: “I’m sorry if I caused offense or hurt anyone’s feelings.” “My comments were taken out of context.” “I never said what they’re claiming I said — the video is a hoax.” (That term has come into vogue in the past three and a half years.) And so forth. Everything except “I realize what I said was untrue and wrong. I’ve changed my viewpoint completely. I regret my words, apologize sincerely, and hope I can repair the damage I caused.”
 
You probably recall the alcohol-fueled rant against Jews by Mel Gibson in 2006. That was when the actor yelled, among other things, that Jews were responsible for all the wars in the world. Gibson issued an apology and made a number of public gestures designed to rehabilitate his reputation with the Jewish community.
 
Recently, Jewish actress Wynona Ryder repeated an allegation from 1995, in which she related that Gibson asked her if she was an “oven-dodger.” Here is the new response from the actor: “A representative for Gibson said that Ryder’s comments are ‘100% untrue’ and that Ryder is lying.”
 
Mel Gibson wrote and directed the 2004 movie The Passion of Christ, which many thought fanned the flames of antisemitism. In 2013, he gave an interview in which he minimized the number of Jews killed in the Holocaust. And there was this in 2019: “Gibson shocked social media users when it was announced he will play a major role in Rothchild, an upcoming film chronicling a black sheep’s attempt to get back into the good graces of a wealthy Jewish family.” — Newsweek
 
[To read a Newsweek accounting of the various times Gibson has been accused of antisemitism, click here.]
 
Why do I bring up Mel Gibson? He came to mind when I read the article by Rabbi Noam Marans regarding his conversations with comedian, rapper, and television host Nick Cannon, after he made some blatantly antisemitic remarks. (See the ARTICLES section.) To be clear, Nick Cannon is not Mel Gibson. Rabbi Marans came away believing Cannon was sincere when he apologized, as well as in his subsequent efforts to educate himself about Jews and atone for what he said.
 
Rabbi Marans’ article made me think genuine regret, apology, and atonement are possible. That true change can happen, which is a comforting and encouraging thought indeed.
 
— Lenny Giteck, Publisher and Editor
 
We welcome your comments. Click here.
 

Visit our other website…