Email to Forge

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To: [Forge, John Henry]
From: [D'Ancato, Marie]


It has taken me a long time to figure out what to say to you about your book. I was worried at first and just want to commend you on changing identifying information in a way to protect the people involved and the school itself.

Overall, the book is a well written piece of work. It...I do not forgive Erik what he did to me or to all the others he harmed, such as yourself. At first I was angry that you were trying to humanize him. What right does a monster like him have to be pitied? But then I realized that understanding how he became who he did can help us not start down that slippery slope ourselves. I can see now where his anger came from and perhaps begin to fathom why he feels his way the only solution. It makes me realize why the pieces of him still within me used to feel the way they did. Some of the memories I did not understand make sense now. And somehow...that makes things easier to deal with.

~Marie

Comments

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To: [D'Ancato, Marie]
From: [Forge, JH]

The Professor and Mr. Dayspring Nathan both helped me with making sure that people wouldn't read the book and immediately come knocking on the door here. I didn't use last names for any of the source interviews (other than the Professor, of course, but anyone who's done significant research into the scientific community can pull up research papers from the 1980s with Xavier & Lehnsherr's names on them collaboratively), and I doubt people outside of the lunatic fringe are going to put any connection to Magneto formerly being a teacher here and the X-Men operating out of the basement.

I don't ask anyone to unconditionally forgive his actions - I sure as hell don't. I don't condone him, I don't sanction him, and I don't make excuses for him. But after all of this, I think I understand him. The things that happened to him, the choices he made that put him in a place where he can rationalize his actions to himself. He really thinks he's working for the eventual greater good, and that's why he's dangerous. He's a lot like the Professor in that way, with an unshakeable belief in his convictions, misguided as they are.

I heard a lot of mentions before you came back about how you had him in your head - you know just how deep his beliefs go. I can't imagine what that was like. I spent three weeks with the man, and that was enough for a lifetime. Which is why I was concerned with what you'd think. I'm glad you approve, I really am.

Thanks,

JHF