Consider the Crows: A New Year’s Caw to Forgive
Finding Strength in Forgiveness to Advocate for a Kinder World in 2025
As the sun rises on the first day of a brand-new year, we find ourselves with a fresh opportunity to reflect on who we are and who we wish to become. Many of us begin the year with resolutions: to care for our bodies, deepen our relationships, or pursue our dreams. But this year, what if we resolved to lighten the emotional burdens we carry—not to forget the injustices we stand against, but to free ourselves to fight for a better world with clarity and compassion?
As animal advocates, we know there is much we must not forget. The harm done to the biosphere, the suffering of wildlife, and the plight of homeless pets demand our attention and action. Yet, if we are not careful, the weight of witnessing these injustices can sap our energy, cloud our judgment, and leave us burdened by resentment or despair.
The Grudge-Bearing Crows
In a remarkable study, Professor John Marzluff and his team at the University of Washington observed that crows can hold grudges for up to 17 years. When researchers wearing a “demon mask” captured and tagged the birds, the crows learned to associate the mask with danger. This distrust didn’t stay contained; it spread through their social networks and across generations as younger birds learned to fear the masked figure from their elders.
The intelligence of crows is striking, but their behavior reflects something deeply human. Like crows, we too can hold onto resentment—at the injustices we witness, the harm done by others, or the systems that perpetuate suffering. But unlike crows, we have the ability to choose how we respond.
Balancing Memory and Forgiveness
Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting the pain we’ve seen or abandoning the causes we champion. It means choosing not to let anger or bitterness weigh us down. By letting go of grudges, we free ourselves to act with clarity, compassion, and determination.
Imagine carrying a heavy bag of stones on a long journey. Each stone represents anger, frustration, or despair. While each might feel justified, the weight makes every step harder. Forgiveness is the act of setting the bag down—not to forget the journey, but to move forward with renewed strength.
A New Year’s Resolve
As we step into this new year, let us commit to remembering the injustices we fight against while refusing to let them harden our hearts. Let us resolve to approach our advocacy with a spirit of hope and resilience—not only for the animals and environments we seek to protect but also for ourselves and even those who may stand in opposition.
What might our work look like if guided by this resolve? Imagine movements fueled by optimism rather than anger. Imagine the bridges we might build with potential allies. Imagine a renewed sense of purpose that allows us to sustain our efforts for the long haul.
This New Year’s Day, I encourage you to make forgiveness part of your journey—not as an act of forgetting, but as a way of staying true to your mission. Release the burdens that hold you back, and let’s step into 2025 with a shared commitment to create a kinder, more compassionate world for all creatures under the sun.
May 2025 be a year of healing, growth, and grace—for all beings.
Happy New Year!
Ed Boks is a former Executive Director of the New York City, Los Angeles, and Maricopa County Animal Care & Control Departments, and a former Board Director of the National Animal Control Association. His work has been published in the LA Times, New York Times, Newsweek, Real Clear Policy, Sentient Media, and now on Animal Politics with Ed Boks.
In solidarity, thank you!
Execellent advice. Love the caws.