The Complexity of Forgiveness in Liberation Work
Forgiveness is one of the most misunderstood aspects of healing and liberation. Too often, it is weaponized—used to pressure marginalized people into reconciliation without accountability or moving on before they’re ready. But in its truest form, forgiveness is not about excusing harm or pretending it never happened. It’s about releasing the grip that harm has on us, so we can move forward without carrying its weight.
Today, we’re unpacking what true forgiveness looks like in liberation work. We’re exploring why forgiveness is about freedom, not forgetting, how accountability and forgiveness must coexist, and why self-forgiveness is a necessary act of resistance.
🎧 A Preview of Today’s Discussion
📌 [Minute 10:40 - 14:30]
In this section, I share a deeply personal moment about forgiveness as a living practice in community. I discuss how accountability and action must precede true forgiveness—using an example from my own family where a shift occurred only after responsibility was taken.
This conversation explores how forgiveness is not about erasing harm but about acknowledging the repair work that follows. When those around us step up and make changes, we can celebrate that growth while also recognizing the long-term impact of our work.
I also reflect on how parenting through a liberatory lens means challenging colonized expectations and committing to generational transformation. If you’ve ever felt exhausted by the emotional labor of this work, this section will affirm why what we do now is not just for us—it’s for the generations to come.
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