Criminal past shouldn’t be a permanent stain

Dear Editor: Members of the Kingston Interfaith Council express their full support of the response of the Ministers’

Alliance of Ulster County to the gesture of reconciliation and reintegration into the community extended by Democratic District Attorney candidate David Clegg to one-time felon Ismail Shabazz, as captured in a photo that is now being used by his political opponents to discredited Clegg in his bid for election.

To use such an innocent photo to communicate a disqualifying character message must be judged by any reasonable person as a cheap shot. The photo captured a spontaneous moment in which Shabazz was introduced to Clegg at a public event, and to his credit, Clegg extended a gesture of embrace.

Restorative justice is our only way into a different and more hopeful future. A posture that would have permanent exclusion be our only response to those who have committed a crime and done their time is a sure recipe for recidivism.

A self-righteous response by some members of law enforcement is emblematic of a problem that has plagued our policing forces. Permanently ostracizing those who have fallen from grace and seek readmission to our common life is a childish reaction that invites us to remain less than who we are. It also impedes us from growing into who we might become by our receiving each other with forgiveness and holding each other with compassion.

Bravo to Dave Clegg and shame on those who seek to discredit him in this unseemly way.

Rev. Frank J. Alagna Holy Cross/Santa Cruz Episcopal Church

Kingston This letter was signed by 10 additional clergy members of the Kingston Interfaith Council.