Think how different the world would be if for just one day we would assume the best about each other.
129
216
41
2,046
I had a powerful experience working inside a prison, where my responsibility was to assume the best about people some of whom had done terrible things. Too see their innocence, understand their wounds. We can forgive people, have compassion for them, & still hold them accountable

Jun 10, 2021 · 8:11 AM UTC

7
1
2
61
Replying to @marwilliamson
How does it feel to be literally unhateable
Replying to @marwilliamson
Forgiveness and compassion don’t mean “assuming the best” about everyone. That’s front loading the forgiveness. Forgiveness and compassion require understanding why they acted badly, if they did, not turning a blind eye to all suspect behavior.
3
Replying to @marwilliamson
Having taught for 3 of the past 4 years in a high school embedded in a juvenile detention center, I've learned that believing in the best of my students was far more rewarding than believing in my best executive hires as CEO. None of my students ever tried to get over on me.
Replying to @marwilliamson
But they are not being held accountable. That seems to be the part that needs to change.
Replying to @marwilliamson
Oh no! People in prison commit crimes largely because of poverty. Some people didn’t commit a crime at all and are there because of racist systems. Comparing those in prison who have little to no resources to powerful, genocidal dictators is really bad.
3
5
Replying to @marwilliamson
I would have a much better opinion of Bari Weiss once she is no longer allowed to write columns and put behind bars.