Those who participated in TRC courageously chose to seek the truth, face their own grief, and recognize both their own humanity and that of the perpetrators who had inflicted grievous hurt.
However, it is important to emphasize that being reconciled to our enemies or even our loved ones is not about pretending that the injury was not as bad as it actually was. It is not about denying or turning a blind eye to the harm that occurred. On the contrary, the cycle of forgiveness can only be activated and completed only in absolute truth and honesty. Forgiveness requires giving voice to the violations and naming the pains we have suffered.
At the same time there is a deep human connection we have with each other and a drive within us to live in harmony. We need to realize this, while at the same time fully recognizing that we currently live in a culture that, out of greed and fear, oppresses all of life. The effort to speak to that ugliness, to declare it wrong, is a beautiful act.
Make no mistake: we are speaking here about peace on Earth as a reality. While we may be geographically whole, we need to become spiritually whole.
We need to acknowledge both of these truths at the same time: that our humanity is bound up in one another and any tear in the fabric of connection between us must be repaired for us all to be made whole.
I hope to discuss more about the "how-to" of forgiveness in a future piece.
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