The eCrozier

I believe that each person is more than the worst thing they’ve ever done

• Bryan Stevenson, author of Just Mercy

As we observe human nature, the evidence seems to show we should all have a low anthropology, that is, we shouldn’t assume we’ll behave in a virtuous way all of the time (maybe even most of the time?). And even when we do behave well, the thoughts that go through our heads reveal we don’t always have the purest of thoughts (think of the guy who just cut you off in traffic, bless his heart). While we should hope for virtuous behavior from ourselves and others, indeed strive for it, we should also practice mercy when such virtuous behavior isn’t attained. Kind of like Jesus did, right? What I find most interesting though is how we come to decide who merits such mercy from us and who does not? That question came home for me again listening to the hagiography (mostly) of the great basketball player Kobe Bryant, who along with eight others, including his young teenage daughter, died in a helicopter crash.

In 2003, Mr. Bryant was charged with the sexual assault of a young woman in Colorado. The case never went to trial as the 19-year old woman chose not to testify even though the authorities had a strong case. Mr. Bryant claimed the sex was consensual, but the evidence clearly showed from a hospital examination that the young woman had neck bruises and tears in her vaginal wall. There was also blood on her clothes and Mr. Bryant’s. Later, the young woman filed a civil suit that led to a private settlement with a non-disclosure agreement. Had Mr. Bryant not had the money to pay excellent lawyers, there could’ve been an entirely different outcome. Mr. Bryant’s career afterward was relatively unfazed by the sexual assault. He played in the NBA for another 13 years until 2016. During that time, Mr. Bryant and his wife had four daughters. From all accounts, he grew into a good husband, a doting father, and a revered ambassador for the sport of basketball. He also pursued philanthropic and educational work for children.

So then, which part of his life defines his legacy? At least according to some loud voices online, he can never be forgiven for his sexual assault – he’ll always be known as a man who did that. He’s been canceled and no good he did afterward will alter that particular fact. For others, his legacy will be his basketball prowess, his family life, and his philanthropic work (his repentance?). Many people I listened to chose to ignore the 2003 incident. Still others can remember nothing else but that incident. The voices seem to fall into those two camps, both of which ignore the truth of the other.

Bryan Stevenson reminds us “that each person is more than the worst thing they’ve ever done.” This doesn’t mean we forget that “worst thing” or ignore the awful pain it may have caused, but it’s to say that we’re more than that – more complicated than that – more human than that “worst thing.” If our culture were more mature, we’d be able to hold both truths at the same time about Mr. Bryant. But it clearly isn’t mature at all. We seem to have a warped need to paint with a broad brush only one part of a person’s life. May God have mercy on Mr. Bryant. May God have mercy on us all.

+Scott