Home > Meet the Authors > Jimmie L. Clay

by Jimmie L. Clay

Everyday somebody is offering an apology for something he/she did or said that may have offended somebody else or a certain group. From the beginning to the end of this authentic examples are shown where a person offended or harmed another and followed up the act by either making a genuine apology, made a blunder or failed to offer one at all. The examples typify the advent of apologies and apologizing in our society today, especially from those we call celebrities and those who we look up to for good character. It has been observed that over the past several years, we have seen and heard many public acts of contrition from movie and sports stars to religious leaders, politicians and common people. Some of the expressions that are called apologies have been sincere and were presented in a genuine manner. On the other hand, some of the gestures made the situations worse and diminished the act altogether. A genuine apology is defined as a gesture that expresses one regret over an offense, fault, or accident caused to another. The gesture includes an admission that harm was caused to the other person or group and a sincere promise that the act will not happen again. As a means to illustrate how a genuine apology can be presented to an offended person or group, six cases are revisited, and rewritten in different statements to make the gestures more authentic. Obviously, there are different views on apologizing for harm caused to others. Consequently, several distinguished individuals were interviewed to ascertain their perceptions on apology and apologizing for harm caused to another person or group.

Most people will offer an apology when they have recognized that they have offended another person or group. A person offended by another person’s actions should promptly inform the offender how he or she feels about the inappropriate actions. Never ask for or demand an apology. The author feels that an apology should be spontaneous and not coerced or asked for. By not asking for an apology from someone who has hurt you does not mean that you are weak in character. It is suggested that you move on with other meaningful things in your life.