Cairo's wounds

Few cities in America could benefit from teachings in forgiveness and conflict resolution more than Cairo, Ill.

Fighting between the city council and the mayor have stalemated the city's government. This intrinsically beautiful but decaying city currently is saddled with leaders who can't find a way to get along.

Only one of Cairo's leaders, Councilwoman Caroline Ponting, turned out to view the opening of the Forgiveness Project, an exhibit of photographs and stories about people around the world who have put aside blame and hatred so that they can get on with their lives. The project's list of patrons include Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu, actress Emma Thompson and Lord Woolf, Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales.

Cairo's troubles do not seem quite as intractable when compared with some of those chronicled in the exhibit. At 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sister Mildred Gross will speak about the healing and reconciliation her religious order underwent after rebels murdered five nuns in Liberia.

The Southernmost Illinois Delta Empowerment Zone brought the exhibit to the city. It remains on display at the National Guard Armory at 410 Washington Ave. through Sunday. Hours are 9 a.m.-noon weekdays, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Saturday and 1-4:30 p.m. Sunday.