Posted on 12/01/2019 12:04:11 PM PST by karpov
I remember a morning of unadulterated goodness. I’d come to celebrate graduation at a local men’s prison. The inmates had spent the semester studying criminal justice with students from the University of Cambridge as part of a program called Learning Together. The men from the prison dressed up for the occasion, hair slicked back and shirts tucked in.
Jack Merritt, my classmate at Cambridge and a program participant, recited a poem he’d written on forgiveness and rehabilitation. I remember feeling surprised by his words, so unselfconsciously earnest. I’d known him mostly for his dry wit, his boyishly good looks and his reputation as a criminology class clown.
Jack, who was 25 and from Cambridge, was stabbed to death during a terrorist attack near London Bridge on Friday. The attacker, Usman Khan, had been convicted of terrorism offenses in 2012. He was released from prison last year. Just before the attack, Jack was in Fishmongers’ Hall, a building adjacent to the bridge, helping to lead a conference on prisoner rehabilitation, an alumni celebration for Learning Together. Mr. Khan, who was attending the conference, began his rampage as a creative writing workshop was wrapping up inside the hall, around 2 p.m.
The injustice of somebody murdered while organizing for criminal justice feels impossibly sharp. Jack was in a room of people, some on day release from prison, discussing possibilities for penal reform.
But the world is full of injustice, and young people denied opportunity. Jack understood that better than most.
When I read the news of the attack, I pictured him back at Grendon prison reading his graduation poem. I remember how the students and inmates waved their diplomas in the air that day, pulling each other in for hugs and inside jokes. I remember how the prison auditorium felt blissfully full.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
I wonder what he’d say now.
"What the hell was I thinking?"
He was wrong about nothing. He wasn't responsible for the release from prison of this jihadi.......
Dear NYT, “what he stood for” was fatal ignorance of the INNATE EVIL OF ISLAM!
Instant karma’s going to get you.
THIS is the definition of Instant Karma. Horrible to say, but he EARNED his own demise.
Timothy Treadwell
Timothy Treadwell
TOTALLY sincere, just like
If he could speak from the grave he would still advocate for the criminal that killed him & his liberal beliefs that infect Western society.
Liberalism is a death-cult.
Thanks to every poster.
So this wasn’t a random terrorist attack it was targeted. Well Jack, this guy didn’t see things your way.
Is this the definition of irony?
“Over-representation”
What nonsense.
Translation:
'Comrades. The Revolution is more important than one man. Our brother died fighting racism, injustice, 'fill in the blank'. We must carry on his dream.' /s
Mr. Khan, who was attending the conference...
How nice of the author to she “mr. khan” such respect by addressing him as such.
I wonder if he’ll call his own killer “mr.” when the time comes.
How does the father know this?
Maybe his last thought was, 'I WAS WRONG ABOUT EVERYTHING!'
No doubt they will rename a room at the prison The Merritt Center for Forgiveness and Reconciliation. Probably post a tablet his poem as well. Hid friends and like minded people will be gratified and inspired. In short he will be canonized a martyred progressive secular saint.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.