A radical and counterintuitive proposition to save democracy: forgiveness

Sundance is a great experience for movie geeks who are known for staying up all night streaming. Approximately 17,000 movies It was shown again this year.

It is impossible to accept them all.But one of his film debuts, Titus Kaphar’s “Show forgiveness” It was an experience I will never forget.

I was able to participate in a small group discussion where Kafar, whom I have known as a friend, talked about writing and directing his semi-autobiographical film. This movie comes with a warning label.critics called it that “Harrowing” and exciting, And that’s it. This is the story of an artist who is encouraged by his mother to reconcile with his estranged father who struggles with addiction.

This story really touched my heart because it may apply to me as well.that was myself.

My father is a Navy veteran who got caught up in the crack epidemic of the late 1980s. He battled substance abuse and was kept away from our family for 30 years. Those who know me know that I was born in a homeless shelter. My wonderful mother raised us four children with the help of her family, social safety net, and public schools. It has allowed us to grow into the people we are today.

I won’t spoil the movie, but please go see it. But the questions this film raises about forgiveness and whether we need to move on are serious, and they’re not just about family life.

Since I chose politics and a life as a public servant, I naturally see parallels with today’s political climate. I think about grace towards my father. We also consider whether we can build common cause with others who may have been disappointed or outraged by the action.

Many Americans, including myself, believe that: The 2024 presidential election is an existential crisis. For our democracy. When you look through that lens, it becomes clear. Many of our political differences and disagreements will disappear if we believe there are two camps we can join now. Those who want to preserve our democracy and those whose actions and rhetoric threaten to destroy it.

The second camp is characterized by its inclusion of “.a big lie” Donald Trump won the 2020 election. And in that first camp are people who I believe can save us, but who we may never have thought we could work with or forgive.

So I’m thinking about what would happen if we created a common cause with those people now.Democratic Congressman Ruben Gallego (Arizona) powerful Republican I know that Cindy McCain has something to do with it, but despite having spent two lifetimes in opposing political parties, they both reject the “Big Lie.”Perhaps they can forgive their past differences and unite to defeat Senate candidates who refused to run Lake Kali.

Perhaps progressives like me can find common ground with ultra-conservatives former member of parliament. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.).

As a former Obama delegate who was instrumental in defeating former presidential candidate Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), I believe that if we have to work together to save our democracy, all of the past Maybe you can forgive him for your disagreement. If he knew me, would he forgive me for doing everything I could to defeat him back then?

This is what I think now: Sometimes we have to let go of our worst assumptions about people. And forgiveness, although difficult, can be the first step toward conversations that lead to people being open to change. Especially when we agree that the greater good is at stake. Maybe it’s meaningful to your family, maybe it’s meaningful to your country.

I know this view is unpopular with some people, including some of my closest political allies. But this is my call today to think about the greater good.

That’s a big lesson I learned from a movie. But this is what great art does. It makes you think. The movie Expression of Forgiveness is not going to solve all our problems. But it may serve as a blueprint for a brighter future and force viewers to make a decision.

This is mine.

Mr. Svante Myrick american people.