A time to forgive

Tomorrow, the life of one of our nation's most famous citizens will be honored.

Today, we share with you the onetime antithesis to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It's the story of Zach Beck and his quest for forgiveness.

Zach rose to be one of top soldiers in the small but highly publicized Aryan Nations band headed by the late Richard Butler. Today, Zach is incarcerated in a federal detention center in Seattle. In corresponding with Zach by mail, we have learned that he does not want you to focus on his legal matters: "... I don't want that to diminish my apology," he recently wrote.

What he wants is forgiveness - and to promote understanding.

With razor-sharp hyperbole and vitriol spewed coast to coast these days, the shootings last weekend in Arizona and a national holiday based largely on race relations tomorrow, we decided today is as good a time as any to present the new Zach Beck to you.

We confess we questioned his sincerity. What did he have to gain by telling his story to the people of North Idaho? Could it help ease his legal burden? Create a livelihood for him when he's a free man again? Perhaps.

But we also decided that by stating his position so strongly and so clearly, Zach Beck is endangering himself to those who thrive on hatred and bigotry. By speaking out, he might also complicate his legal future. Those are risks that could outweigh any other long-term benefits.

In the course of our correspondence we have also been introduced to an African American friend of Zach's, someone who has known him for years. We have chosen not to publish the man's name because we fear for his safety.

Here's something Zach's friend wrote this week:

"Zach has always been supportive and accepting of everyone. Everyone that meets Zach is impressed with his intelligence and open heart. Zach speaks freely of his misguided past. He has moved on with his life. He has expressed on many occasions his desire to give back to the community and create change."

Zach has indicated that when they met, the friend did not know of Zach's horrific past. Yet the friend forgave him.

So, people of North Idaho, can you forgive Zach Beck too?

We think we know what Dr. King would do.