In 'A Zoo Near You', Robert Johnson proposes a system that acknowledges the intrinsic humanity and potential in all people, including our worst prisoners. Johnson does not ignore the reality of brutal crimes. Yet, his entire book is a testament to the horrific results of fighting crime with dehumanization and repression. He challenges us to look beyond retribution and cultivate the humanity in those whom we seek to condemn. As we consider this challenge, we must confront one central decision that is best encapsulated in his closing poem: "Reconciliation or revenge? On this choice, our future may hinge."
