Forgiveness is optional

Forgiveness is often idolized in American culture as a magical solution for reconciliation, yet this perspective frequently overlooks the messy, non-linear process of moral repair. Philosopher Myisha Cherry, author of *The Failures of Forgiveness*, argues that forgiveness should be viewed as a bumpy process rather than a singular virtuous act. While conventional narratives suggest that letting go of anger is essential, anger serves as a vital moral tool that communicates value and motivates justice. The 2015 Charleston church shooting serves as a case study where the rush to celebrate victim forgiveness risked obscuring the underlying atrocity of white supremacy. True repair, especially in political contexts like post-Apartheid South Africa or the American legacy of slavery, requires more than mercy; it demands truth-telling, accountability, and material reparations. Ultimately, while forgiveness can offer psychological relief, it is not a prerequisite for coexisting or pursuing a more just society.