All I want for Christmas this year is a pardon. But my last name isn't Biden.
My name is unknown to millions. I am an ordinary person who has been given the special label of “felon.'' Years ago, I was convicted of a felony in Virginia for crossing state lines with my daughter. We weren't divorced yet and she wasn't harmed in any way. There was no intent to be malicious or to break any laws. It's just that there was a misunderstanding during a difficult period of family conflict. However, in Virginia, this act is a felony, and it now casts a shadow over my life.
Although I have a successful career and no criminal record, the weight of that belief remains. Job opportunities for which I am qualified remain out of reach due to background checks. Social prejudices continue to haunt me to a greater or lesser degree. Still, I know I'm not alone. Millions of Americans with nonviolent histories suffer under similar burdens long after they have served their sentences or paid their fines. For many of us, life is defined not by who we are now, but by the worst moments of our past.
This is why President Biden should receive a Christmas pardon, which could be a gift of immeasurable value not only to me but to our country. By granting clemency to nonviolent offenders at the federal level, the president could give countless people a chance to shed the stigma of their pasts and fully reintegrate into society.
Forgiveness and redress are the principles upon which our justice system should be built. They are also the values that should define us as a society. However, it is also realistic to pardon non-violent offenders. The US spends more than $80 billion annually It's about incarceration, and a significant portion of it is devoted to non-violent offenders. Granting amnesty to these individuals would save taxpayers billions of dollars.
For people like me, amnesty does not erase responsibility. I faced the consequences of my actions and learned from them. But a pardon means a second chance – to work without stigma, fully contribute to the community and provide a better life for their families. It would mean that my life would no longer be defined by legal mistakes, but by my potential and who I became.
Biden's Christmas pardon could be a profound act of grace. The inclusion of former President Trump, a polarizing figure, would show that forgiveness can transcend politics. These actions will set a precedent for governors to follow and encourage them to extend mercy to those burdened by the creed of a nonviolent state.
I'm not looking for special treatment or favors. I want the same opportunities that everyone deserves. It's an opportunity to move on, shed the “felon” label, and live as a full contributor to society. As we celebrate this season of renewal, I hope our leaders will remember the words of the gospel: “Forgive, and you will be forgiven” (Luke 6:37).
All I want for Christmas is forgiveness. Not just for me, but for the millions of Americans who have served their time, learned their lessons, and are ready to turn the page. It's time for forgiveness to become part of justice. It's time for Second Chance Christmas.
Kate Tobin earned her law degree from Washington & Lee Law and currently works to help companies recapitalize and grow around the world.
