An apology is about the past, not the future. For Chris Rock or anyone else to rely on Will Smith not to repeat his deplorable behavior at the Academy Awards show Sunday night, more than an apology is necessary. To ensure that Chris Rock and the world can be confident that Will Smith will not resort to blows once again, a sincere apology for past misbehavior needs to be coupled with a promise about future behavior.
Here’s a suggestion for what such a communication from Will Smith to Chris Rock might look like:
“I apologize to you, Chris, for slapping you in front of millions of people watching the Academy Awards. It was wrong of me to do so. If you incurred any injury and/or if you have already incurred or may in the future incur any medical expenses, therapeutic expenses, or loss of income because of my actions, I will pay out of my own pocket for any and all damages I have caused you and for any treatment required.
“No matter what you say in the future, about me, about my family, or anything or anyone else, I give you my word that I will never lift a hand against you ever again or encourage anyone else to do so. I have also spoken with my son, Jaden, about his tweet: 'That’s how we do it.' And I have asked him to apologize directly to you. That is NOT how I should do it. It’s not how he should do it. It’s not how my family should do it, and I promise to speak with every member of my family about my bad behavior. I should not have slapped you, no matter what you said, nor should I have shouted at you to 'keep my wife’s name out of your … mouth.' Both what I did and what I said were wrong. I see that now.
“I further promise you that I will refrain from resorting to physical violence against anyone ever again because I don’t like or take offense at what they say. I recognize that, due to my prominence in the film community, I have a public responsibility to be a role model, especially for young black men and women. I failed in that responsibility at the Academy Awards Sunday night. I will do all in my power to earn back the respect that I have forfeited and to once again be seen not just as a film actor but also as a responsible member of the film community.”