We’ve seen the headlines. Charlestown, North Carolina. Orlando, Florida. Cleveland, Ohio. Black and brown people shot in cold blood, families ripped apart and yet, we often hear forgiveness coming from the families toward the attackers.
As one woman, who lost her grandmother to killer Dylann Roof’s terrorist attack, said “You took something very precious from me. I will never talk to her again. I will never, ever hold her again. But I forgive you. And have mercy on your soul.”
There was much buzz about whether or not this was too early to offer such grace while others said it was their duty as Christians to do so. Well, either way, it’s Rickey’s turn this week when the man who shot him comes up for parole. Maybe Rickey is still buzzing from all the Jessie Williams pro-blackness buzz that’s in the air, but Rickey looks like he’s ready to forgive the guy show shot him 25 years ago. And his reason, well . . . watch the clip first and we’ll talk after.
Take notes kids, this is how you adult. As Rickey shows, even though you’ve been hurt and may literally carry the pain around with you everyday, there comes a point when you have to say enough is enough. There must be a point where the other person has suffered. What we found MOST impressive though is how Rickey doesn’t think about himself or even his shooter, but the man’s mother who just wants her son back home.
TELL US: Would you be able to forgive the man the way Rickey did or would you hold a grudge against the man who tried to kill you?
