Stories that reveal the societal "trend" toward anger and away from genuine forgiveness.
Act One
Former Harpers magazine editor and TAL contributor Jack Hitt wrote an editorial about Susan Smith, who murdered her two children in South Carolina. The editorial redirected the rage from Smith toward Hitt. One of the countless angered readers of Hitt's piece gets a chance to confront him about his plea for forgiveness for Susan Smith. (15 minutes)
Act Two
Performance artists Iris Moore and Larry Steeger provide monologues on forgiveness. Larry's was based on the testimony of serial murderer Jeffrey Dahmer.
Song:
Act Three
In the last few years, laws and sentencing guidelines have become much harsher. Sociologically this has had some good effects. Chicago attorney Darron Bowden presents a more negative effect to such inflexibility in the case of the sentencing of one 13-year-old boy. (6 minutes)
Act Four
Glen Fitzgerald, a Chicago missionary who works with gang members, talks about his concept of forgiveness, and how important it is to being Christian. (9 minutes)
Related
Act One: When I Grow Up
Act Four: Little Sod Houses For You And Me
Act One: Exile
Staff Recommendations
Kindness of Strangers
A locksmith tells the story of an act of kindness he committed, hoping for a small reward. That, and other stories of kindness in New York City.
Abdi and the Golden Ticket
A story about someone who's desperately trying – against long odds – to make it to the United States and become an American.
