I believe people are capable of change

For better or for worse, I believe people are changing constantly. Sometimes gradually, one little thing at a time. Other times, suddenly and all at once. My evidence? Think of how much you change over a year alone - think of all the things you learn from your experiences, how you adapt to cope with new situations.

I can assure you, you are not the same person you were five years ago. We all know that feeling of cringing at an old facebook status made in our naive youth.

Why then is it so hard to believe that the person who wrote a tweet years ago no longer exists. A new person in their place with more world experience with changed views and values.

I refuse to believe people aren't capable of growth and change. If the person has corrected their problematic attitudes, why do we punish them for their past mistakes - something that they can't undo even now being a completely different person.

I've been struggling with this idea for a while - if someone did or said something problematic in the past but has really truly changed and grown as a person to understand what they used to believe / how they used to act was wrong then why can't they be forgiven? Maybe I'm too forgiving?

I completely understand if their mistakes are irredeemable, as there are certain cases. However I'm talking about people who used to be bullies in school - who have now grown and changed as people. Or people who used to have offensive or discriminatory beliefs that no longer believe those same things.

Cancel culture is toxic. Why are we obsessed with punishing people so harshly for their past actions. Isn't the point of calling someone out for saying something offensive or being problematic so that they can be educated and change their views and beliefs to become a better person?

Maybe I am just one of those people that believe humans are inherently good even with so many examples to support the contrary. Maybe I have too much hope and faith. Maybe I believe too much in second chances.

I guess I've never had my trust broken enough to break my belief that everyone deserves a shot at redemption.

~ Kaitlyn.