“Harmony, friendliness, and community are great goods. For us, social harmony is the summum bonus – the greatest good. Anything that subverts that undermines this sought-after good is to be avoided like the plague. Anger, resentment, lust for revenge, and even success through aggressive competitiveness are corrosive of this good. To forgive is not just to be altruistic. It is the best form of self-interest. What dehumanizes you inexorably dehumanizes me. It gives people resilience, enabling them to survive and emerge still human despite all efforts to dehumanize them.”

— Bishop Desmond Tutu, writing on forgiveness and conciliation.

I respect Bishop Tutu’s message; it is the first healing message that makes sense. As I turned away from anger, I felt stronger and hopeful. As Bishop Tutu has said, it isn’t easy; he suggests it happens one human at a time. I’m willing to try it out and see if I can do it. It is like humans to find community. I can’t change the world, but I hope I can change myself. Compassion is infectious if you believe in history. Can I be big enough to acknowledge my wrong? I don’t het know.