For perpetrators, when they apologize and experience remorse, it gives them a chance to reclaim their own humanity. Some rise to the moral challenge. Others of course don't care, and they continue acting with contempt.
Interpretation
Apologizing and feeling remorse can help offenders regain their humanity, but not all choose to accept this moral opportunity.
In this quote, Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela highlights the transformative power of remorse for those who have perpetrated harm. By acknowledging their wrongdoing and feeling genuine regret, they can reconnect with their moral compass and humanity. However, she also cautions that some individuals may remain indifferent, continuing their actions without care for the consequences, thereby refusing to rise to the moral challenge posed by their actions.
In practice
This quote would be fitting in a talk about personal growth and accountability.
In our country are evangelists and zealots of many different political, economic and religious persuasions whose fanatical conviction is that all thought is divinely classified into two kinds - that which is their own and that which is false and dangerous.
There are people who will say that this whole account is a lie, but a thing isn't necessarily a lie even if it didn't necessarily happen.
Human beings are inherently misled into subjective fantasies, but there's a saving grace. We all have different delusions. Other people don't necessarily share yours, and hence they will help you penetrate yours through the miracle of criticism!
If you have a great idea, you should be able to communicate it as well. It's like the sound of one hand clapping. You have a great idea but aren't able to express it - well, how great was the idea?
An ostentatious man will rather relate a blunder or an absurdity he has committed, than be debarred from talking of his own dear person.
We live in an almost perfect stillness and work with incredible urgency.
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