Dead Seriously.

I’m not a big follower of the world occupied by Katy Perry or her father, Pastor Keith Hudson, but something from that universe caught my attention this week.

In a recent sermon, Pastor Hudson apparently said the following:

“You know how to make the Jew jealous? Have some money, honey…You go to L.A. and they own all the Rolex and diamond places. Walk down a part of L.A. where we live and it is so rich it smells. You ever smell rich? They are all Jews, hallelujah! Amen.”

Pastor Hudson was quickly and rightly taken to task by Jewish community leaders for these Anti-Semitic comments. However, the comments and the appropriate condemnation aren’t what really stand out to me here–it doesn’t take much effort to find people making racist, anti-Semitic, or really anti-anything comments these days. To me, about the only thing worse than the non-stop stream of offensive comments reported in the media is the non-stop stream of pathetic, insincere, dodgy half-apologies. As such, what really struck me as remarkable was Pastor Hudson’s apology. Let’s take a look at the script.

“I deeply regret the hurtful and ugly language I used in my message in Ohio. I have had a few days to think about what I said, and to listen to my words as they were understood by others.

I am not going to offer any excuse, or tell you not to think what I did wasn’t so terrible. I do insist, and G-d is my witness – that I am not an anti-Semite. If anything, my faith as a Christian reminds me, and always has reminded me, of my special closeness to the Jewish people.

But that is the point. We can do lots of harm even to those we love simply by using words irresponsibly. I used images about Jews rooted in the worst anti-Semitism in the past, images that at times led to the persecution and murder of Jews. I can’t tell you where I picked up phrases and descriptions that became part of my vocabulary. I used them without ever considering what they meant. I probably would have used them for the rest of my life, had people not pointed out to me their origin and evil purpose.

My joy in life is preaching – using words to call people to G-d. I understand the power of words, and the need for all of us to think twice before using words that can hurt or harm others. I apologize for the hurt that I caused my Jewish friends. With the help of G-d, it will not happen again.
Sincerely, Keith Hudson.”

That the Jewish community leaders who called Hudson out for his comments quickly and completely accepted his apology is not in the least bit surprising: This may well be the best public apology I’ve ever seen in my life.

First, Pastor Hudson said ““I deeply regret the hurtful and ugly language I used in my message in Ohio,”, and “I apologize for the hurt that I caused my Jewish friends.” In doing so, he avoided the common mistake of apologizing “if” his words offended anyone. Pastor Hudson seems to understand that his words were offensive, period. It doesn’t matter whether, or how many, people were actually offended. He recognizes that the responsibility for any pain or hurt that resulted is his, and not the offended parties.

Second, while Pastor Hudson does clarify that his intent was not to insult or offend, he immediately owns the fact that “intent” just doesn’t matter all that much. As Hudson says, what matters is how his words “were understood by others.”

Third, Pastor Hudson recognizes that ignorance does not excuse bad behavior. (“We can do lots of harm even to those we love simply by using words irresponsibly.“)

Lastly, Pastor Hudson didn’t attempt to downplay his actions as an anomaly or rarity in his behavior, even if that might be true. (“I can’t tell you where I picked up phrases and descriptions that became part of my vocabulary. I used them without ever considering what they meant. I probably would have used them for the rest of my life, had people not pointed out to me their origin and evil purpose.“) This is important because is demonstrates Hudson’s realization that “being more careful” next time he speaks in public is insufficient–he needs to thoroughly and permanently excise the attitudes and cultural imprint that generated his comments.