Is it possible for those who have been oppressed by injustice to live in a community that is forgiving? Shouldn’t we first acknowledge the injustice and perhaps work to overcome it before considering forgiveness on a community level?
By recognizing oppression and referring to it as unfair, one can acknowledge it. It is acceptable to be angry about oppression. However, if forgiveness is delayed until the injustice has been resolved, the oppressors benefit from both the initial and continuous oppression and the oppressed people’s lingering, unhealthy anger or resentment. Over time, the animosity could become so intense that it destroys families and individuals in that oppressed community. At the very least, forgiveness eliminates the one issue of harmful animosity—-deep anger within the community. Those with reduced anger then might have more focus and energy to confront and correct the injustice.
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