On forgiveness

The video of Brandt Jean forgiving and hugging Amber Guyger, who murdered his brother, has sparked a national conversation about the nature of forgiveness.

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Botham Jean's younger brother Brandt Jean hugs convicted murderer and former Dallas Police Officer Amber Guyger after delivering his impact statement to her after she was sentenced to 10 years in jail, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019, in Dallas. Guyger shot and killed Botham Jean, an unarmed 26-year-old neighbor in his own apartment last year. She told police she thought his apartment was her own and that he was an intruder. (Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News via AP, Pool)

Botham Jean's younger brother Brandt Jean hugs convicted murderer and former Dallas Police Officer Amber Guyger after delivering his impact statement to her after she was sentenced to 10 years in jail, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019, in Dallas. Guyger shot and killed Botham Jean, an unarmed 26-year-old neighbor in his own apartment last year. She told police she thought his apartment was her own and that he was an intruder. (Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News via AP, Pool)

Guests: Glenn Bracey II, Loren Toussaint, Megan Feldman

The video of Brandt Jean forgiving and hugging Amber Guyger, who murdered his brother, has sparked a national conversation about the nature of forgiveness. Many African American have asked why they are so often the ones asked to forgive. It’s also raised questions around what is and isn’t a forgivable offence in general. This hour, we’ll explore that question and discuss the science and psychology of forgiveness – what it means to forgive, its evolutionary roots, and how it impacts our health and well-being. Guest host Tracey Matisak’s guests are GLENN BRACEY II, assistant professor of sociology at Villanova University, LOREN TOUSSAINT, psychology professor at Luther College, and MEGAN FELDMAN, author of Triumph of the Art: Forgiveness in an Unforgiving World.

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