What qualifies as sufficient justification for an apology?
The context, right? Well, what if we told you we mistook you for someone else, because, well, you both look the same and interchangeability is not offensive to your race, right?
Hold on.
We apologise. We understand that was a ‘dumb error’. That was an impulsive comment. We apologise again. We stand against all ‘prejudice and stupidity’.
So, what is the verdict now? Have you forgiven us for our ‘dumb error’?
If yes, ‘Wall Street Journal’ movie critic Joe Morgenstern’s the man of the hour. In a review for the movie Lion, Morgenstern, while waxing eloquent about actor Dev Patel, referred to his performance as the richest one since Namesake – a movie which had another actor of Indian origin, Kal Penn.
Now you can imagine the backlash from a ‘don’t-forgive-don’t-forget’ Twitter. Have a look at some of the tweets!
Following all of this, Morgenstern issued an apology, saying he understands how hurtful his comment was.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)