Prejudice: Rehab Won't Solve The Problem

This editorial was written by The Showbuzz's Judy Faber.

So now there's a formula for celebrities that make racist, homophobic or anti-Semitic slurs.

Make a public apology. "Reach out" to "the community." Discuss the matter on television with someone like Diane Sawyer or David Letterman. Maybe have a celebrity friend or two come to your defense.

Then, toddle off to rehab or "counseling" and hope the rest of the world forgets the stupid things you said that got you into trouble in the first place.

Michael Richards, Mel Gibson and Isaiah Washington all used awful language, publicly expressed regret and sought professional help.

It's a little soon to determine how their outbursts will affect them in the long run. But so far Richards' career was nowhere to begin with so he can only go up, Mel Gibson bounced back with "Apocalypto," and Isaiah Washington hasn't been discharged from "Grey's Anatomy." Yet.

Unfortunately, it's too easy to vilify these three stooges for their public outbursts and ignore the fact that racism, homophobia and anti-Semitism remain a real problem in our society.

Focusing too much on the words these men used in public might be sending out the wrong message and merely teaching kids not to use those words if there's a camera rolling. The lesson should be that prejudice in all its forms is wrong.

One celebrity, Russell Simmons, is trying to make a difference. The hip-hop mogul has recorded a series of public service announcements with rapper Jay-Z encouraging young people to fight racism and anti-Semitism in their communities. The ads are airing in the United States and in Europe.

Simmons is the co-founder of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding along with Rabbi Marc Schneier, chairman of the World Jewish Congress American section. Their goal is to open discussion about prejudice, bringing together members of different communities.

"It is very important that we all position ourselves to speak to everyone when we can, because dialogue is key," Simmons said in a speech at the WJC Monday. "What you do for yourself is only as good as what you do for others."

Hopefully, other celebrities are taking notes.