Can people outlive their crimes? Can mistakes be forgotten over time? Should criminals, having served their jail time and full service requirements of their release be able to maintain their livelihood as if nothing ever happened?
Jane Fonda has been the poster girl for the anti-war crowd for years, being dubbed “Hanoi Jane” and other not so nice names. Veterans picket her movies and business endeavors; very few people over a certain age can say her name without having her political views flash across their memories for a time.
She trudges on amidst the hateful rhetoric and constant reminders of her youthful political stance; keeping her head up and her career in the forefront. She’s been an actress, a fashion model, a dance teacher, workout guru, feminist, entrepreneur and political activist.
She’s apologized for her opinions and actions that garnered the name “Hanoi Jane” (from Wikipedia):
"I would like to say something, not just to Vietnam veterans in New England, but to men who were in Vietnam, who I hurt, or whose pain I caused to deepen because of things that I said or did. I was trying to help end the killing and the war, but there were times when I was thoughtless and careless about it and I'm very sorry that I hurt them. And I want to apologize to them and their families. [...] I will go to my grave regretting the photograph of me in an anti-aircraft gun, which looks like I was trying to shoot at American planes. It hurt so many soldiers. It galvanized such hostility. It was the most horrible thing I could possibly have done. It was just thoughtless..."[36]
But still, the hate and anger towards past actions continue to follow her around.
Michael Vick is the Dog-fighting and racketeering ambassador. He served his time, paid his fines, apologized to the world for his crimes and has gone on to have a lucrative NFL career and promotional contracts. He’s been congratulated by President Obama, supported by the Eagles organization, granted interview after interview and (again) apologized to PETA and animal lovers for his indiscretions.
Yet, we still can’t move on and forgive him for his mistakes and bad choices. I have friends that tell me “he’s paid his time; he’s apologized, let it go.” Nike has forgiven him in the name of money; Subway has included him in their promotional ads because he’s, well, famous.
Is it possible for people to change; grow; mature? Can we let Casey Anthony off the hook now that she’s been found “Not Guilty”? Will she spend the rest of her life running from her past mistakes (assuming that she doesn’t continue in her immature ways and lifestyle)?
What about forgiving? Do people who’ve changed, moved-on, grown-up, deserve forgiveness?
What about people who are struggling with addictions? Divorce? Anger issues? At what point does paying the price become the ticket to a new road?
Are those of us who remember the transgressions; are we guilty of not forgiving? Or is it a case of guilt because we feel there isn’t enough of a price to be paid for some crimes?
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