TO FORGIVE AND NOT FORGET

Discussion with the group about the article, “Truth, Forgiveness, and Justice” was a touching and complex conversation. This is could be because merely no one talks about certain entities that deal with physical, emotional and mental levels of thought when it comes to the bigger picture than oneself. The nature of truth, forgiveness, and justice are within the model of transitional justice. These ideas are highly relevant to the promotion of reconciliation and can advance such circumstances into a better sense. Although on the other hand it can halt the process of transitional justice because these notions are silent and oblivious when addressed. Forgiveness can be a difficult task to deal with alone. The article said, “Throughout the literature, forgiveness is presented sometimes as a weakness and sometimes as strength”. Referring to Apartheid and the events here in South Africa-the forgiving stage is still in a slow but progressing process as a nation. With both spectrums considering some people may have forgiven and some may have not; yet in between is the grappling context.
In this sense when the damaged people are at urged to forgive they are more likely put under more pressure to improve their anger towards the offenders. Emotions are sometimes expressed through actions and behaviors but mostly are hidden deep down in a person soul. Emotions are invisible therefore cannot be physically addressed. It is about “finding” oneself again, but South Africa for instances “rebuilding” itself as a nation. My intentions to this purpose is to use these examples from the article and my own experience involving myself in South Africa’s predicament and utilize forgiveness and truth in my daily life constantly to reshape and reform my thoughts and instincts to help others in life-help me help you (nation) help us together. Every day it is a constant struggle to build my strength up and regain the sense of “esteem” and “dignity”; the whole notion of EMPOWERMENT!
Also parallel to our discussion, Mr. Lungisile Ntsebeza’s lecture about the issue of the Land Reform was an interesting conversation as well; the whole idea within a thinner proportion of the act itself. Meaning his points about land and equity was geared toward dealing with the past inequalities. I liked how Mr. Ntsebeza highlighted issues about women and their issues and how African women played major roles during this time period and still until this day. This divided nation caused more issues dealing with the colonization of the native people. Not only was over 93% of the land taken from them, but also their dignity. Their land was a part of their culture and to have the colonizers deconstructed and reorganized the land takes the original people’s pride away. It is almost like in the USA when the government strips away money for grants and scholarships or rises the cost of attendance of a university takes away the spirits and hopes of those students who count on government money to help further their educational goals. Utilizing this information results into the same thing-stripped from dignity, aspirations, and culture by those in power.