Should Mark Wahlberg Deserve Forgiveness for 1988 Assault?

Mark Wahlberg, the renowned actor, is currently facing skepticism from some Asian Americans regarding his recent pardon application for a past assault.

These individuals are questioning his motives and expressing concerns about his failure to offer a personal apology.

According to court records, on April 8, 1988, in Boston, Wahlberg viciously attacked two Vietnamese-American men.

He used a five-foot-long wooden stick to render Thanh Lam unconscious and physically assaulted Hoa Trinh.

During this incident, Wahlberg made derogatory racial remarks, referring to the victims as “g–ks” and “slant-eyed g–ks.” Subsequently, he was apprehended, charged with attempted murder, found guilty of assault, and served a 45-day prison sentence.

Wahlberg, who was only 16 years old at the time, admitted to being intoxicated and denied that race played a role in his actions.

In addition to his assault conviction, Wahlberg was also found guilty of contempt for court due to a previous series of racially motivated attacks on African-American school children.

Following these incidents, the court issued an order prohibiting him from engaging in any form of racial intimidation or violence.

The 1988 investigation concluded that Wahlberg had violated this court order, suggesting that race indeed influenced his assaults on Lam and Trinh.

In his plea to expunge his criminal record through the Massachusetts Board of Pardons, the now 43-year-old Wahlberg attributes the assault to his attempt to steal alcohol.

He expresses deep regret for his behavior and acknowledges any enduring harm inflicted on the victims.

Wahlberg highlights his charitable endeavors over the years and his interest in mentoring at-risk youth as grounds for clearing his record.

He emphasizes the potential repercussions on his restaurant businesses if the conviction remains on his record.

Despite Wahlberg's efforts to seek forgiveness, a significant number of individuals, particularly Asian Americans, have taken to social media to voice their opposition to his pardon request.

The hashtag #NoPardonMarkWahlberg has gained traction online, and a petition rejecting his plea has garnered nearly 3,000 signatures.

In response to mounting criticism, Wahlberg issued an apology through a spokesperson in 1993, following pressure from advocacy groups such as the Committee Against Anti-Asian Violence (CAAAV) and the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD).

However, he has yet to personally reach out to his victims to make amends, as suggested in a 2006 interview where he acknowledged the importance of such actions.

Giles Li, an Asian-American poet and Executive Director of the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center, advocates for individuals to address their past wrongdoings and make reparations.

He believes that Wahlberg should take the initiative to engage with his victims and the affected communities to demonstrate accountability for his past actions and racial aggression.

Li sees this as an opportunity for Wahlberg to set a positive example for mainstream America by confronting his troubled history and working towards reconciliation.