Characteristics of Successful Love and Forgiveness in Governance Exemplars
by Ernest Ogbozor
Introduction
The questions that this article will attempt to answer are: Do Love and Forgiveness in Governance (LFG) exemplars share a common characteristic or pattern of behavior? What is unique about LFG exemplars? And, what lessons can be learned from successful LFG exemplars? These questions emanated from the different profiles of the LGF exemplars that were put together by the LFG research team, taking into consideration the variable factors associated with them (such as geographic region, level/scope of governance, gender, perpetrators or victims etc.) However, a critical review of the profiles of the exemplars suggests that a trend or pattern of behavior can be deduced, irrespective of the circumstances or the ordeals that they went through in life, as individuals or collectively.
According to Time magazine, the top ten political prisoners in the world are: Aung San Suu Kyi, Liu Xiaobo, Nelson Mandela, Mohandas Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Andrei Sarharov, Vaclav Havel, Akbar Ganji, Benigno Aquino, Jr., and Ho Chi Minh.[1] Five out of these 10 political prisoners were identified as exemplars of love and forgiveness by the Fetzer Advisory Council (FAC) on Governance: Aung San Suu Kyi, Nelson Mandela, Mohandas Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Vaclav Havel. These notable exemplars share common characteristics: They are all former prisoners, imprisoned by political opponents because of their dogged stand for truth and justice, who suffered humiliations in the hands of their opponents, and were later vindicated after several years of imprisonment.
However, the ordeals that they went through while incarcerated did not change their belief in truth, justice, and equity. Most importantly, they did not seek revenge against their opponents after they had the opportunities to do so, but towed the line of love and forgiveness for peaceful reconciliations in their respective countries. These characteristics or attributes made these exemplars heroes; leaders of today need to emulate the exemplary leadership styles of these LFG exemplars. From the profiles of these exemplars — as analyzed by the LFG research team — the turning point was the moment when they were faced with the tough choice of taking revenge or forgiving someone that had caused them so much pain.
For example, Nelson Mandela was elected the president of South Africa in 1994. He had to face the reality of leading those whom he had fought against for years — those who had imprisoned him, tortured his people, and committed horrible atrocities against the non-white population. Despite this, Mandela pushed for integration in his country and faced pushbacks while attempting to integrate the country's security forces. Nelson Mandela said, "The time for the healing of the wounds has come. The moment to bridge the chasms that divide us has come. The time to build is upon us."[2] He further said that "forgiveness liberates the soul, it removes fear. That's why it's such a powerful weapon."[3]
The Burmese hero, Aun San Suu Kyi, turned the bitter period she spent in prison into opportunity through forgiveness. Instead of being angry with the Burma military that kept her under house arrest for many years, she said that, "In some ways I don't think they did anything to me. They placed me under house arrest, but that gave me time to read."[4] The long years of her arrest and subsequent confinement did not change her love for Burma and the people that kept her in confinement. According to Rachel Shafran, "her father taught her a sense of duty for her country and her mother taught her forgiveness."[5] The ability to endure long suffering and turn trial moments into positive gains is an important characteristic of love and forgiveness exemplars.
The LFG exemplars might have several common characteristics, but there is something unique about the exemplars. This unique feature ran through all the stories. Almost all the exemplars passed through some kind of humiliation, or physical and psychological abuse (and even death). However, the ability to look beyond the temporary humiliation to a positive future was very prominent in the stories. For example, Richard Moore was blinded by a rubber bullet on his way from school in Derry, Ireland in 1972. However, he sought out and befriended the soldier who blinded him at the age of 10. In the article "Tragedy to Triumph", Richard highlighted not just the power of forgiveness but also the power of choice. He reminded everyone of the potential we all have to change people's lives in a positive way through even the smallest of acts. The Dalai Lama's book, Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World, reflected on his meeting with Richard. His Holiness said to Richard, "While I talk about forgiveness, you have made it part of your life. You have made it clear that if we practice compassion and forgiveness, it gives us peace of mind. This is a wonderful model for others to follow and you are a wonderful son of humanity."[6]
There are several lessons that can be learned from Love and Forgiveness in Governance exemplars, in addition to the LFG political prisoners as highlighted above and Richard Moore, the story of the Pastor and the Imam is full of inspiration on how past enemies can work together for the benefit of the community. The Pastor and the Imam were once bitter enemies, and they never thought of working together before. However, in spite of the losses that they both suffered (while the two camps were fighting each other, the Pastor lost one of his arms and the Imam lost his spiritual father), the duo put aside their differences through love and forgiveness to work for the interest of their communities. The Inter Faith Mediation Centre, Kaduna, founded by Pastor Wuye and Imam Ashafa, is breaking ground in reconciling and building new relationships between Christians and Muslims in Kaduna State and Nigeria in general. These attributes from successful LFG exemplars make them unique, with practical lessons on building positive relationships for peaceful and mutual co-existence.
[1] "Complete List - Top 10 Political Prisoners - TIME," accessed July 12, 2013, http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0,29569,2024558,00.html.
[2] Nelson Mandela, "Inagural Speech, Pretoria [Mandela] - 5/10/94" (University of Pennsylvania - African Studies Center, May 11, 1994), http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Inaugural_Speech_17984.html.
[3] "Just in CASE: Mandela, Forgiveness & Reconciliation: A Review of Invictus," accessed July 12, 2013, http://andjustincase.blogspot.com/2010/01/mandella-forgiveness-reconciliation.html.
[4] "Smiling Suu Kyi Lays Out ‘Ambitious’ Plan for Myanmar - CNN.com," CNN, n.d., http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/14/world/europe/switzerland-myanmar-suu-kyi/index.html.
[5] "Aung San Suu Kyi – Her Story, Your Story! — Womens Center for Leadership WCL", n.d., http://www.wcleadership.com/news/aung-san-suu-kyi-her-story-your-story/.
[6] "Children in Crossfire. Irish Charity Giving Children the Chance to Choose.," accessed July 29, 2013, http://www.childrenincrossfire.org/about/richards-story/a-living-example-of-forgiveness.
