The Importance of Forgiveness

Last week I was working on an essay I planned to submit as my latest contribution to Ruminate Magazine‘s blog. Then I read Roxane Gay’s “Why I Can’t Forgive Dylann Roof” in the New York Times. It bothered me so much I woke up thinking about it the next morning and knew I wanted to respond. I emailed my Ruminate editor and told her I would be scrapping what I was writing and sending her something entirely different. I ended up writing, “For Roxane Gay: Notes from a Forgiving Heart,” and you can read it at this link. I’m not saying she has to forgive him but I do believe it’s important to discuss why this level of forgiveness matters. In fact I felt it was so vital that this is the first completed essay I’ve managed to write in connection with the Sandy Hook shooting at my son’s school, two and a half years later. I hope you’ll comment on the piece and join this ongoing discussion.

Thanks and be well,