Vengeance and Retribution: Antonyms to Justice

“Continuing a cycle of violence through state-sanctioned actions does not bring justice but only creates a culture of death and retribution. As a pro-life Christian, I believe the execution of Troy Davis shows a failure of moral leadership by both our country and the state of Georgia. The doubt surrounding the case of Troy Davis has served as a wake-up call to many in this country that our justice system is flawed and should not hold the power of life and death over any person. Justice should restore and heal, not destroy.” — Sojourners CEO Jim Wallis 

I hurt for Troy Davis. I hurt for his family and friends. I don't know whether he was guilty or innocent, and I have no intentions to argue either way...that's not my place. What I am convinced of, however, is that our judicial system served him, and all others who have been executed by the state, an injustice.


In her November 5, 2008 open letter to President-elect Barack Obama, Alice Walker urged him not to take on other people's enemies: "Most damage that others do to us is out of fear, humiliation and pain. Those feelings occur in all of us, not just in those of us who profess a certain religious or racial devotion. We must learn actually not to have enemies, but only confused adversaries who are ourselves in disguise."

What if we began viewing the convicted in this way? What if we began to see, and treat, those who are convicted of such horrific crimes as murder as fearful, humiliated, and pain-stricken? What if we began to see those things in ourselves? Perhaps our compassion for them would deepen. Perhaps we could get over retributive "justice" and want healing and wholeness for them.

Capital punishment lacks hope. It is a way for the state and others to say to the convicted, "You are not human to us. We give up on you. You deserve this." This is not justice. Vengeance is not justice. Retribution is not justice. To think of justice in this way is elementary and avoidant. To inject a lethal cocktail into another human being and call that just is to strip that person if his or her humanity and worth. Ironically, victims often make the same claims about the convicted. How is capital punishment any more righteous?

Justice needs to be far more complex than that, and to maintain the worth, dignity, and humanity of all it needs to encompass a mature form of hope. Imagine a world where convicted persons entered therapy and began working on themselves. Imagine a world where convicted persons were understood as fearful, humiliated, and pain-stricken. Imagine a world where they were given the space to hope for forgiveness and a whole life. This doesn't mean they don't face consequences for their actions, but it also doesn't mean that we give up on them as people. Sounds tough, right? How could we ever hope for our perpetrators? How could we want good for them when they've brought so much pain to us? That's just the thing...viewing justice in a way that upholds the dignity and worth of the offender still allows us space to grieve and be angry, but it doesn't allow us to stay there. Capital punishment is an injustice to the convicted in that their lives are not valued, and it is an injustice to the victims because it does not challenge them to reconcile. True justice requires that we grow up, face the issues within ourselves, and hope for a better way of living for the offender. It requires that we love when we want to hate, hope when we want to give up, and let live when we want to kill.

Let us find a better way to relieve our hurt and anger, and let us value all life in such a way that hopes for tomorrow.

Vengeance is not justice. Retribution is not justice. Reconciliation is.

Thanks, Yogi.

It was just one of those mornings. You know...one of those up too early, workout was a wash, cold shower, knee cut by a razor, not a single outfit looks good, hair has a mind of its own, no eggs for breakfast, empty cupboards = almonds packed for lunch, I forgot I'm picking up a friend and I'm going to be late! kind of mornings. I had nothing major to complain about - sometimes we call these first world problems - but I was feeling rushed and somehow ill-prepared for the day. I just felt....off. As I rummaged through our tiny kitchen to find a morsel of something edible for lunch, I snatched my whistling tea kettle and poured the hot water into a mug. A quick shot of honey and a splash of milk later, I plopped my tea bag in and decided it would simply have to steep on my way to work. As I grabbed my things I rushed out the door to begin my day and as I was getting into my car I looked down at the tag on my tea bag and read There is nothing more precious than the self. 

Oh Yogi, you sure know how to stop me in my tracks.

I instantly felt this overwhelming sense of calm. My day took a turn, and I was reminded that in the midst of what felt chaotic, there was time to slow down and appreciate the beauty life offers if I am only willing to see it. And much of that beauty actually lies within me. My life is not about getting somewhere on time or accomplishing the day's many tasks. There is so much more to me and to my mission in this life. I am precious.

My heart smiled with every sip of tea that morning, and when I had consumed every last drop I took the tag and taped it to my computer monitor. Still today I sit at my desk and read my little reminder that there is nothing more precious than the self.

It was around February that I shared with some of my peers the challenges that have come with getting to know myself more over the past couple years. Perhaps one day I will share more about some of those things. For now it will suffice to say it hasn't always been easy. One of my dear friends asked how I've coped with the challenges, and after a moment to reflect on her question, I responded by saying, "I like myself. I like who I'm becoming."

That was a moment of differentiation for me. It was a significant one. In fact, I think it may have been the first time that I've openly declared my love for...me. It didn't feel narcissistic or grandiose, and I was not seeking affirmation or really any kind of attention; rather, it felt freeing and peaceful. As my heart smiled at my tea bag, my heart smiled at my words.

When we truly know ourselves, our strengths and our areas of growth, and in that we love ourselves, I think we're better able to be in relationship with others. I cannot offer what I do not have, and I can't take from others what they can't provide. It is my responsibility to care for me, to love me, to know me, and to grow me. Those ventures belong to no one else. I need to know where I end and others begin and take care of that which belongs to me. I'm seeing these changes in me and I'm excited about them. I do like myself. I do like who I'm becoming. There truly is nothing more precious than the self. There is truly nothing more precious than me.