Celebrity Apologies

Two recent celebrities have gotten in some trouble: Michael Phelps and Charles Barkley.  Micheal Phelps had a photo taken of him using a marijuana pipe.  Charles Barkley was arresting for drunk-driving.

And although both of those choices are sad to me - what interests me even more is the response of these two men.  One takes responsibility and the other acts like a victim.

MICHAEL PHELPS:
"I've come to realize people want to bring you up but more people want to bring you down and that's how our public is."

You've GOT to be kidding me.  Who didn't root for Michael Phelps at the Olympics?  Who didn't celebrate his dominance? Who wants to see an Olympic hero embarrassed? And Phelps indicates that a MAJORITY of people want to bring him down. In other words - what he did wasn't wrong.  What WAS wrong (from his perspective) is that some "jerk" took his picture and went public with it. You'd think that someone manipulated the picture.  But no, that didn't happen. He is just mad because he got caught. He later said in the interview that he thought everyone at the party was a friend of his. In other words, his habits aren't going to change. What will change - is he will make sure he doesn't smoke pot around anyone with a camera, or he will do it only with REALLY close friends (who aren't out to get him).  How sad - he chooses to smoke pot yet paints himself as a victim.

Now contrast that with Charles Barkley...

CHARLES BARKLEY:
"Getting a DUI was the best thing that ever happened to me."

Although I do not approve of his actions or his lifestyle, AT LEAST he took complete responsibility for his choices. He paid his price. He apologized to his employers and family and he took it like a man - NOT like a victim.

When counseling - I always listen for excuses ("I'm a victim") or statements of responsibility ("I did wrong!"). It is SO MUCH easier to help people that take responsibility.

Comments

[Mark D.]

I know I probably shouldn't be thinking this way, but I find it a real gift to see and hear the different apologies offered by celebrities for various offenses that they have committed. I know the Bible tells me how to confess, apologize, and when and how provide restitution but, as thick as I am, I need to see and hear positive and negative examples of this before it sinks in. And it does sink in. Eventually. Maybe.