Archbishop Desmond Tutu addresses restoration in Rwanda as he observes, “The only way to do this was to go beyond retributive justice to restorative justice, to move on to forgiveness because without it there was no future.” Forgiveness enables healing, new beginnings and hope for the future. In Alan Paton’s Cry The Beloved Country, he utilizes characters and tragic events to reveal the restorative power of forgiveness, and how it can rebuild a broken country. Msimangu, Arthur Jarvis, and Arthur’s son act as agents of restorative justice through their abilities to transcend racial boundaries in seeking to end apartheid in South Africa.
Msimangu acts as a Christian example of what it means to love his white neighbors. Despite all the injustices …show more content…
He makes an interesting case as he advocates for the equality of the blacks from a white man 's perspective. “We set aside one-tenth of the land for four-fifths of the people. Thus we made it inevitable, and some say we did it knowingly, that labour would come to the towns. We are caught in the toils of our own selfishness” (179). Arthur has the courage to call out his fellow white South Africans, and challenge them for turning a blind eye to the injustices they have committed. They suffer from consequences they bestowed upon themselves, but they refuse to acknowledge their wrongdoing. Arthur will no longer let this injustice slide, but instead he takes concrete steps towards ending apartheid. Furthermore, Arthur dives into the root of the brokenness in South Africa, and what must pass in order to create healing. He speaks on behalf of the white men of South Africa by acknowledging, “We believe in the brotherhood of man, but we do not want it in South Africa. We believe that God endows men with diverse gifts, and that human life depends for its fullness on their employment and enjoyment, but we are afraid to explore this belief too deeply” (187). Arthur describes the hypocrisy in South Africa, and how their fear of losing control to the natives drives them to oppress them. White leaders will not …show more content…
His innocence and outgoing personality lead him to go against the status quo and reach out to an old black man. One day while riding by Kumalo’s church, he “raised his cap and said, Good morning. And Kumalo felt a strange pride that it should be so, and an astonishment that the boy should not know the custom” (268). Considering Kumalo’s son killed the boy’s father, initiating a relationship with Kumalo in this way expresses the power of forgiveness and restoration. His cheery and warm attitude reflect his father’s beliefs and work and bring Kumalo considerable joy and hope. The boy continues to astonish Kumalo as he actively engages in black culture. As he departs from Kumalo’s church, he reluctantly remarks, “Yes, I must go, but I’ll come back for some more Zulu” (284). By taking an interest in learning Zulu, the boy exhibits an interest in black culture, and the natives themselves. This brings immense hope and foreshadows the healing and unity to come between the blacks and whites. By engaging in a friendship with Kumalo, the boy begins the long, but worthwhile journey to
Msimangu acts as a Christian example of what it means to love his white neighbors. Despite all the injustices …show more content…
He makes an interesting case as he advocates for the equality of the blacks from a white man 's perspective. “We set aside one-tenth of the land for four-fifths of the people. Thus we made it inevitable, and some say we did it knowingly, that labour would come to the towns. We are caught in the toils of our own selfishness” (179). Arthur has the courage to call out his fellow white South Africans, and challenge them for turning a blind eye to the injustices they have committed. They suffer from consequences they bestowed upon themselves, but they refuse to acknowledge their wrongdoing. Arthur will no longer let this injustice slide, but instead he takes concrete steps towards ending apartheid. Furthermore, Arthur dives into the root of the brokenness in South Africa, and what must pass in order to create healing. He speaks on behalf of the white men of South Africa by acknowledging, “We believe in the brotherhood of man, but we do not want it in South Africa. We believe that God endows men with diverse gifts, and that human life depends for its fullness on their employment and enjoyment, but we are afraid to explore this belief too deeply” (187). Arthur describes the hypocrisy in South Africa, and how their fear of losing control to the natives drives them to oppress them. White leaders will not …show more content…
His innocence and outgoing personality lead him to go against the status quo and reach out to an old black man. One day while riding by Kumalo’s church, he “raised his cap and said, Good morning. And Kumalo felt a strange pride that it should be so, and an astonishment that the boy should not know the custom” (268). Considering Kumalo’s son killed the boy’s father, initiating a relationship with Kumalo in this way expresses the power of forgiveness and restoration. His cheery and warm attitude reflect his father’s beliefs and work and bring Kumalo considerable joy and hope. The boy continues to astonish Kumalo as he actively engages in black culture. As he departs from Kumalo’s church, he reluctantly remarks, “Yes, I must go, but I’ll come back for some more Zulu” (284). By taking an interest in learning Zulu, the boy exhibits an interest in black culture, and the natives themselves. This brings immense hope and foreshadows the healing and unity to come between the blacks and whites. By engaging in a friendship with Kumalo, the boy begins the long, but worthwhile journey to