Grace and Mercy in the Age of “Cancel Culture” with Malkia Devich-Cyril

“We have to be more transparent, more honest, more vulnerable, more willing to confront our mistakes than ever before, because we’re in this context where lies can become truth with great ease.” What is the role of mercy, grace and redemption within movements for freedom? Malkia Cyril – activist, writer, and founding director of the non-profit Media Justice – has deeply considered answers. In this episode, Van and Malkia discuss the importance of building communities that ground accountability in hope and mercy. Malkia’s mother was a leading activist in the Black Panther Party. Hard-won wisdom from decades of political struggle permeates every aspect of this conversation. Even as some grassroots leaders issue calls to “defund the police” — and march against the prison system – too many still cling to the mindset of punishment and revenge, themselves. It’s easy for some people to say they want to abolish police and prisons altogether. But what does an “abolitionist mindset” really mean?

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