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Forgiveness Social Justice

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When I enrolled in Religion and Social Justice, I was not entirely sure what to expect. I thought the courses would be filled with abstract monotonous concepts. However, this was not the case. The course was incredibly interesting and engaging. Professor Tirana was able to take incredibly complex theological, philosophical concepts and firmly plant them in the reality of the surrounding world, connecting them to social justice, making them more than approachable. One of those concepts was forgiveness. This essay will explore the concept of forgiveness and examine its ability to enact social justice. What is so fascinating about forgiveness is that it appears to be so antithetical to human instinct. It requires a conscious, deliberate …show more content…

Tutu stated that in order “for our nation to heal and become a more humane place, we had to embrace our enemies as well as our friends.” (81) This new beginning for South Africa was largely successful because it was built on honesty, peace and compassion; the foundations of forgiveness. Desmond Tutu describes forgiveness as the act of abandoning the right to vengeance. Tutu understood that revenge, vengeance and retaliation are the irrational responses of individuals who do not completely comprehend the fragility of civilization. In seeking vengeance an individual only perpetuates and exasperate the initial animosity, which creates a devastatingly vicious cycle of hate. The urge to pay someone back reduces humans to our worst selves. It was forgiveness that allowed Tutu and Mandela to lead a dignified, rational opposition against the horrendous inequalities of apartheid. Forgiveness informs an elevated way of thinking, …show more content…

It would seem that all of America’s unresolved racial anxieties have bubbled up to the surface. The riots in Ferguson, Missouri encapsulated the nation’s volatile racial tensions. I believe that it is quite possible that if a reconciliation committee had been brought to Ferguson in the days or even weeks after the initial riots much of the racial tensions which sparked subsequent incidents could have been avoided. It would have given the community the opportunity to express their anguish and disappointment. Tutu writes that “true reconciliation is based on forgiveness, and forgiveness is based on true confession” (112) this reconciliation informed by forgiveness would have presented an opportunity for both the police and members of the community to look beyond who was right or wrong, and simply acknowledge the human tragedy, and begin to see each other as human beings. This is why forgiveness is so important for social justice, it creates

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