Actions speak louder than words

Letters

Editor: I have been watching with interest the past number of weeks as important figures in the Vancouver spotlight have tearfully made public apologies. While it's nice to know that both Todd Bertuzzi and Svend Robinson feel "truly sorry" or admit that they "have failed," their sincerity is questionable. It's one thing to say you're sorry, it's another to act like you are.

Both men went in front of the camera in an attempt to "explain" what they did, but it really appears as if they were simply using the media to their advantage. Bertuzzi has agreed to pay a fine and refrain from playing hockey for the rest of the year, but was any of that his decision? Robinson's announcement seemed carefully timed to preempt criminal charges.

In both cases, these individuals justified their actions by claiming that what they did was not premeditated. However, regardless of whether something is an "accident" or "snap decision," the perpetrator should still be held accountable.

Growing up, I was always taught that "it's not enough to say you're sorry." As the clichés go, "Talk is cheap" and "Actions speak louder than words." I'm looking forward to seeing what Bertuzzi and Robinson will do in the future to prove that their remorse is truly heartfelt.

In Judaism, the concept of teshuvah or repentance is very important. For teshuvah to occur, an apology must be accompanied by a genuine commitment to change. Only when a person is given an opportunity to repeat the mistake and actively refuses to do so, does teshuvah take place.

If Bertuzzi and Robinson both feel truly guilty and ashamed of their actions, it will only be revealed to the public when they are both presented with the same sort of situation and choose not to repeat their "mistakes." Until then, we can only wonder what is in their hearts.

Jordana Bregman
Magee secondary school

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