Philosopher Myisha Cherry teaches us the right ways to deal with wrongdoing in our lives and the worldSages from Cicero to Oprah have told us that forgiveness requires us to let go of negative emotions and that it has a unique power to heal our wounds. In Failures of Forgiveness,Myisha Cherry argues that these beliefs couldn't be more wrong-and that the ways we think about and use forgiveness,personally and as a society,can often do more harm than good. She presents a new and healthier understanding of forgiveness-one that will give us a better chance to recover from wrongdoing and move toward "radical repair."Cherry began exploring forgiveness after some relatives of the victims of the mass shooting at Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston,South Carolina,forgave what seemed unforgiveable. She was troubled that many observers appeared to be more inspired by these acts of forgiveness than they were motivated to confront the racial hatred that led to the killings. That is a big mistake,Cherry argues. Forgiveness isn't magic. We can forgive and still be angry,there can be good reasons not to forgive,and forgiving a wrong without tackling its roots solves nothing. Examining how forgiveness can go wrong in families,between friends,at work,and in the media,politics,and beyond,Cherry addresses forgiveness and race,canceling versus forgiving,self-forgiveness,and more. She takes the burden of forgiveness off those who have been wronged and offers guidance both to those deciding whether and how to forgive and those seeking forgiveness.By showing us how to do forgiveness better,Failures of Forgiveness promises to transform how we deal with wrongdoing in our lives,opening a new path to true healing and reconciliation.
Publisher: Princeton University PressISBN: 9780691223193Number of pages: 240Dimensions: 216 x 140 mm
MEDIA REVIEWS
"A first rate work from a penetrating mind.""Spry and convincing....(Cherry) is especially insightful on the asymmetry of forgiveness requests following incidents of racial violence...(A) nuanced view of how one might both cultivate possibilities of forgiveness - as requesters and extenders - and learn to live with its lack."--Rhoda Feng,Times Literary Supplement"Myisha Cherry will make you stop and (re)examine what you think you know about forgiveness."--Karla J. Strand,Ms. Magazine"A fascinating examination of forgiveness,its conceptions and misconceptions,and how we can best extend (or choose not to extend) forgiveness in our lives with reparative aims....Well-written,thoughtful,and highly intelligent,this book has transformed my understanding of forgiveness."--Ilina Jha,Redbrick Culture"Thoughtful....(Failures of Forgiveness) will attract readers eager to delve into forgiveness in its many forms."
Kommentar