Can Vlad apologize like Will Smith?

A path to peace starts with conciliation…

I am in no way comparing the conflict in Ukraine to the debacle that happened at the Academy Awards the other night. Maybe this is just a feeble attempt at comic relief from the horror in the real fight, and the dismay at seeing an artist I held high in esteem slap a colleague on national TV.

Will Smith got insulted by Chris Rock, on behalf of his wife and ally. That boundary breach caused a surprise attack on the insulting party, whom many would have considered a friend of Mr. Smith prior to the insult an ensuing attack.

That may be a very loose parallel to the Putin, Zelensky, Russia, Ukraine open marriage that is ending badly. But the dynamic of a testosterone driven schoolyard bully suddenly attacking a friend out of some insult, real or perceived, seems to ring true.

Where the stories part ways is in the protagonist reactions to their own actions.

While not yet forgiving Will Smith for his outright sneak attack, we must consider his apology to be heartfelt. I know he has vested interests in restoring peace, but I am taking his words at face value, including the direct apology to Mr. Rock.

With all the fake apologies flying around for actions not requiring them, Mr. Smith’s looks sincere and truly contrite. That may serve beneficial as he and we unpack his actions. By the way, Mr. Rock needs to get some serious kudos for his calm and professional reaction to the attack. Something tells me Mr. Rock will accept the apology, hug it out and they all move on. Peacefully.

Juxtapose that sequence of insignificant human interactions with the actions in Ukraine. As silly a comparison as it may appear to be still leaves me wondering about the very powerful tool of the apology.

An apology is not the multi purpose tool most of us use it for. First sign of trouble, we apologize. Many call this insincere and a woke element of a weak society.

But, it works. Most times, when an altercation like the Smith v. Rock foolishness occurs, a quick apology tends to make it right. It offers the framework for reconciliation.

The stakes are a bit higher in Putin v. Zelensky. As they have been so many times, throughout history, in moments of great conflict.

Clearly a mistake has been made. Clearly, an insult has occurred. Clearly, there exists a conflict requiring resolution. A resolution that would be well served with an apology.

I have wondered over the years, at how different the world might be if, after 9/11, the United States had apologized for our actions and meddling in the Middle East as opposed to engaging in all out war against it, killing hundreds of thousands of people, including innocents.

I know it is hard for manly world leaders to do this. We all watched John Wayne do his thing, and there is no way that guy ever apologized. For anything.

But, in a world of horrible leaders who owe us all an apology, it would be refreshing and helpful if one of them actually did it. Especially when it is clear that a mistake has been made. Why is it so wrong to recognize one’s own mistake and apologize for it?

So, Vlad. The world stands here united in the fact that you have made a mistake. You slapped a friend. Your actions crossed a line.

Be a man and apologize. That may not save you from eternal damnation, but it may allow for resolution to this worldly conflict that you caused. You screwed up. Admit it. Take it like a man and move forward.

I have no idea how the Will Smith, Chris Rock dustup ends. Who really cares. But, something tells me Mr. Smith made a good first move towards redemption with his olive branch.

Now, Mr. Putin? Your move.

The people want Peace, Sir. And that is within your power to facilitate Peace.

And it could start with a simple apology.

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