JustDialogue Fall 2023 by JustDane1

a reflective journal about social action from JustDane

Forgiveness is one of JustDane’s organizational values. Put simply, we approach our work with the recognition that each one of us is so much more than the worst decision, the worst thing we have ever done. We know that forgiveness is crucial to healthy human relationships. French Jesuit and theologian François Varillon once said “People cannot live together unless they forgive each other just for being who they are.” In reflecting on his work on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa, Bishop Desmond Tutu wrote, “Forgiving and being reconciled to our enemies or our loved ones is not about pretending that things are other than they are. It is not about patting one another on the back and turning a blind eye to the wrong. True reconciliation exposes the awfulness, the abuse, the pain, the hurt, the truth. It could even make things worse. It is a risky undertaking but, in the end, it is worthwhile, because in the end dealing with the real situation helps to bring real healing. Superficial reconciliation can bring only superficial healing.” Tutu reminds us that those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it, and so to truly forgive and heal, we must name the harm. As Tutu asks “How can you forgive if you do not know what or whom to forgive?” Tutu’s words are consistent with the work of Dr. Robert Enright. Dr. Enright is with the International Forgiveness Institute at the University of WI and a pioneer in the social scientific study of forgiveness.

Enright states that, when we’ve been treated unjustly by others, an unhealthy anger works its way into our hearts, an anger that we’re not even aware of. He describes it as a drip, drip, drip of anger onto our hearts, our emotions, which can eventually lead us to become deeply angry & resentful. It can lead to anxiety and depression, low self-esteem.

participating in our reentry initiatives have also been victims of injustices. As individuals we need to recognize the injustices done to us. As residents of this community we must name the systemic injustices committed against people, in order for forgiveness and healing to begin at both the individual and community level.

Dr. Enright says that forgiveness is a paradox. As we reach out to forgive someone who has harmed us, the goodness we demonstrate towards them starts to slow that drip, drip, drip of anger. This counteracts the toxicity of the anger, eliminating the effects of the trauma, the anxiety, the depression and allowing us to get our life back. In that way, forgiveness is more for our benefit than for the benefit of the person being forgiven. In their book Exploring Forgiveness, Enright & North define forgiveness as a willed change of heart- the result of an active endeavor to replace bad thoughts with good, replacing bitterness and anger with compassion and affection.

One of our former volunteers, Fred Reames, embodied the idea that both harm and forgiveness happen at a macro level. He was a victim of an armed robbery committed by a teenager. Fred acknowledged that he was harmed by the robbery, but he was also driven to better understand who this young person was. Fred attended the court hearings and the sentencing hearing and came to see the teen as a smart, articulate youth. Fred could recognize that this young person who had robbed him had also suffered injustices at the hands of others; at the hands of societal systems that didn’t provide the support he needed. In the recognition of this young person and his pain, Fred had begun the journey of forgiveness.

Forgiveness involves overcoming negative feelings such as anger, hatred, resentment, desire for revenge, and replacing them with positive emotions such as compassion, benevolence and even love. It is resisting thoughts of revenge, wishing the other person well, having empathy and sympathy for them. This is not to say that forgiveness must lead to reconciliation. In some cases that could be harmful to the person who has been injured. It also doesn’t mean that we open ourselves up to continued abuse. It’s important to note that the offense committed may mean that we cannot trust that person again, that we cannot be near them again, and that’s okay. Forgiveness is a decision that we make on our own timeline, if at all. In our work at JustDane, forgiveness is folded into our focus on restorative justice, the idea that harm caused is a violation of people and relationships. A restorative justice lens asks: Who has been hurt? What are their needs? And Whose obligations are these? This is at the heart of our reentry and advocacy work; recognizing that individuals can do harm to one another, as can our government and social systems. State and local policies can and do harm individuals, leading to injustices against them. We also recognize that many of the individuals

As individuals and as members of the community we each must ask ourselves what our role has been in causing harm to someone. To ask ourselves whether we can forgive those who have caused us harm, can we stop that drip, drip, drip of anger that slowly poisons our heart and work for understanding, for compassion as Fred did? And just as we desire acknowledgement and apology from those who have harmed us, are we willing to hold ourselves accountable for harm we have caused and to work to repair that harm. The journey begins with a choice and a commitment. We are on this journey with you, our supporters, we are committed to the value of forgiveness, to the importance of healing individual lives and the greater community. Forgiveness can be a long and exhausting process, but as Bishop Tutu said, it is worthwhile and brings real healing. In faith,

Fall 2023

JustDialogue • a reflective journal about social action from JustDane

Inclusion - Compassion - Courage

Forgiveness

What does Forgiveness mean at JustDane?

for·give fər-ˈgiv verb

Webster’s Dictionary Definition: 1: to cease to feel resentment against (an offender) : PARDON forgive one's enemies 2.a: to give up resentment of or claim to requital, forgive an insult b: to grant relief from payment of, forgive a debt

“Forgiveness is a sign that the person who has wronged you means more to you than the wrong they have dealt.” – Ben Greenhalgh “I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice.”

Forgiveness is folded into JustDane’s focus on restorative justice. The idea that harm caused is a violation of people and relationships, is central in the work we do in the community. The heart of our reentry and advocacy work asks: Who has been hurt? What are their needs? And Whose obligations are these? We recognize that individuals, goverments and systems can do harm. Many of the indiviudals in JustDane’s initiatives have been victims of injustices against them. As an agency we name the systemic injustices committed against people in order for forgiveness and healing to begin at both the individual and community level.

- Katherine Ponder

Join Us for a Community Reentry Simulation on December 7th! Forward Theater will be showing Clyde’s from November 2-19 “Just outside of Reading, PA, a truck stop sandwich shop offers its formerly incarcerated kitchen staff a shot at redemption, as they find purpose and inspiration in their shared quest to create the perfect sandwich. Even as the shop’s callous owner tries to keep them under her thumb, the staff members are given purpose and permission to dream.”

Join JustDane for a Commynity Reentry Simulation as a follow-up to Clyde’s and learn more about the challeneges faced by our neighbors returning to the community after incarceration.

For tickets for Clyde’s, go to forwardtheater.com Register for the Community Simulation here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C44A9AC29ABF9C07-45581413-127#/

JustDane • Changing Lives, Changing the Community

Holiday Treats Thanksgiving Pie Pre-Orders Due November 13th Pick-up/Delivery November 22nd

Pumpkin w/ Ginger Molasses Crust

Caramel Apple

Christmas Pie Pre-Orders Due December 15th Pick-up/Delivery by December 22nd

Just Bakery and Porchlight Products Holiday Storefront Sale December 9th 10:30-1:30 1704 Thierer Rd Madison wi 53704 8 INCH $15 | 10 INCH $25

Chocolate Mousse

Ginger Pear

Pecan

Just Bakery will be CLOSED from December 20th 2023 to January 1st, 2024

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