[Peace-discuss] Forgiveness Weekend

[Alfred Kagan]

Let me say that I very much appreciate Phil's messages. I especially 
note the importance of the following statement:

"That said,  having heard Bevel speak, I'm glad that AWARE didn't 
endorse Forgiveness Weekend because Bevel opposes many things that 
AWARE stands for, and supports many things that AWARE 
opposes--homophobia, sexism, and theocracy, for example.  Someone made 
the comment to me that Bevel's participation in Forgiveness Weekend is 
a perfect way to destroy coalitions, and I reluctantly agreed."

I am also in favor of Phil's dialogue idea, sometime before an AWARE 
meeting, where we could honestly discuss our points of disagreement.  
It seems to me that we can only go forward by putting all these things 
on the table.  I think this might be a difficult discussion, but I also 
think we could use Durl's guidelines to good effect.

P.S.  I have been unconsciously mulling over the title of the weekend, 
and I think it may have a lot to say about our differences. Instead of 
"Forgiveness" I would rather refer to Justice.  People who have served 
time in the criminal justice system have (rightly or wrongly) fulfilled 
the law's requirements.  They deserve justice.  I have a 1951 Webster's 
unabridged dictionary in front of me.  One of the meanings under 
"forgive," is "The pardon or remission of a offense or crime; as the 
forgiveness of sin or of injuries."  I note the word "sin," a religious 
concept.  Later on, it says "The magistrate grants a pardon, and not 
forgiveness." Although religion motivates some folks in AWARE, the work 
we do is political rather than religious.


Al Kagan
African Studies Bibliogrpaher and Professor of Library Administration
University of Illinois Library
1408 W. Gregory Drive
Urbana, IL 61801

tel. 217-333-6519
fax 217-333-2214
akagan at uiuc.edu
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