Redemption
Ear Hustle is a podcast originating from St. Quentin Prison and is produced by now former inmate Earldonne Woods and Antwan Williams. Recently, perhaps partly because of the podcast which invites listeners to attend to the truth that inmates are not their crime and are not their label of criminal, Earldonne Woods was pardoned by the departing California Governor Jerry Brown. Governor Brown subsequently granted an interview with Earldonne and Antwan which was, in part, aired on the podcast. During that interview Governor Brown stated “Redemption is the essence of humanity.” He said this in the context of a discussion about doing away with the three strikes rule/law in California as well as other changes in the California penal system.
Redemption according to Oxford dictionary is:
It is, of course, no secret that we humans often commit acts which are hurtful to people, places and things. It is also no secret that when we hurt others we also separate ourselves and, thus, hurt ourselves. Some ways of hurting others are more immediately destructive or dangerous. The ultimate hurt is, perhaps murder although there is much disagreement about how to rank order the hurts we cause each other. Yet, we do rank order them and have laws which define whether a hurt is minor or major- misdemeanor or a felony.
Some behavior which may not seem hurtful to another may be designated a crime because it is considered “unnatural” or “immoral” by some citizens. In this country and many others there has been some attempt to distinguish between the laws which are hurtful and those which may “merely” offend someone’s private beliefs. Homosexual behavior between consenting adults is an example of behavior which was previously labeled a crime in this country and is till labeled a crime in some countries. Yet, it hurts no one.
Governor Brown seems to be implying that there is no act which cannot be forgiven. If redemption is” being saved from sin, error or evil” then Earldonne has been declared redeemed or saved from being defined by his past behavior. I believe the teachings of both Buddha and Jesus assert that anyone can be forgiven. When Jesus tells the disciples that the person without sin – without having hurt another – is to throw the first stone he is implying (1) there is no distinction between sins and (2) we are all worthy of redemption.
Governor Brown seems to be saying that what distinguished humans from other animals is that we are capable of understanding all humans are imperfect; that there is no basis for judging one person worse than another. We can make educated guesses about whether or a person is now capable of considering the needs of others prior to acting. Just because a person is incapable – has a brain which, for whatever reason, cannot consider the needs of others – does not mean that person should be punished. They may need to be restrained and held in a safe place. That person is still deserving of our love, respect and forgiveness.
What if we only restrained people who are incapable of considering the needs of others and what if the goal was to treat these people with love and not punishment?
I belief there is no reason to restrain anyone just because we do not like their behavior or it violates our religious rules or beliefs. We are a diverse people with diverse backgrounds, cultures and beliefs. We can honor our shared humanity and accept that not everyone has to behave in a way which is pleasing to us.
Perhaps redemption is the essence of humanity.
Written January 28, 2019
Jimmy F Pickett
Ear Hustle is a podcast originating from St. Quentin Prison and is produced by now former inmate Earldonne Woods and Antwan Williams. Recently, perhaps partly because of the podcast which invites listeners to attend to the truth that inmates are not their crime and are not their label of criminal, Earldonne Woods was pardoned by the departing California Governor Jerry Brown. Governor Brown subsequently granted an interview with Earldonne and Antwan which was, in part, aired on the podcast. During that interview Governor Brown stated “Redemption is the essence of humanity.” He said this in the context of a discussion about doing away with the three strikes rule/law in California as well as other changes in the California penal system.
Redemption according to Oxford dictionary is:
- The action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil.
- The action of regaining or gaining possession of something in exchange for payment.
It is, of course, no secret that we humans often commit acts which are hurtful to people, places and things. It is also no secret that when we hurt others we also separate ourselves and, thus, hurt ourselves. Some ways of hurting others are more immediately destructive or dangerous. The ultimate hurt is, perhaps murder although there is much disagreement about how to rank order the hurts we cause each other. Yet, we do rank order them and have laws which define whether a hurt is minor or major- misdemeanor or a felony.
Some behavior which may not seem hurtful to another may be designated a crime because it is considered “unnatural” or “immoral” by some citizens. In this country and many others there has been some attempt to distinguish between the laws which are hurtful and those which may “merely” offend someone’s private beliefs. Homosexual behavior between consenting adults is an example of behavior which was previously labeled a crime in this country and is till labeled a crime in some countries. Yet, it hurts no one.
Governor Brown seems to be implying that there is no act which cannot be forgiven. If redemption is” being saved from sin, error or evil” then Earldonne has been declared redeemed or saved from being defined by his past behavior. I believe the teachings of both Buddha and Jesus assert that anyone can be forgiven. When Jesus tells the disciples that the person without sin – without having hurt another – is to throw the first stone he is implying (1) there is no distinction between sins and (2) we are all worthy of redemption.
Governor Brown seems to be saying that what distinguished humans from other animals is that we are capable of understanding all humans are imperfect; that there is no basis for judging one person worse than another. We can make educated guesses about whether or a person is now capable of considering the needs of others prior to acting. Just because a person is incapable – has a brain which, for whatever reason, cannot consider the needs of others – does not mean that person should be punished. They may need to be restrained and held in a safe place. That person is still deserving of our love, respect and forgiveness.
What if we only restrained people who are incapable of considering the needs of others and what if the goal was to treat these people with love and not punishment?
I belief there is no reason to restrain anyone just because we do not like their behavior or it violates our religious rules or beliefs. We are a diverse people with diverse backgrounds, cultures and beliefs. We can honor our shared humanity and accept that not everyone has to behave in a way which is pleasing to us.
Perhaps redemption is the essence of humanity.
Written January 28, 2019
Jimmy F Pickett
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