Forgive, but do not Forget

The Cats of Mirikitani is a fascinating documentary.
Trained artist Jimmy Mirikitani lost his family and American citizenship while placed in a California internment camp for Japanese Americans. The scars following the experience eventually left him homeless and living on the streets of NY. In spite of his circumstance he devoted his life's energy to creating art(cute cats) and artfully documenting his painful experience in the camp.

When he is offered help to improve his living status he is reluctant. Help can seem intrusive. But his persistent friend helps him obtain the fifty or more year old documentation (passed out in the 1950's) restoring his citizenship. He never received the papers and never knew the government's regret over asking him and others to renounce their citizenship.
His life for more than 60 years had been fueled by this injustice placed on him.

At first I felt saddened that his life had been consumed by this act of discrimination. I wondered what would his life had been like if he had received the papers. In reflection I think the intensity of what he remembered and the manner in which he expressed his story was needed. History was waiting for just the right moment, for the right people to hear and apply wisdom gained by acknowledging the tragedy of Jimmy's experience.

Jimmy's life was restored so that he got a home off the streets, but even more amazing is the love, forgiveness, and joy which now consumes his life.

Forgive, but do not forget
Do not forget to forgive