Matt Doyle knows a few things about second chances; he received one and has given one as well. In 2005, Doyle was a random victim of a gang initiation, which left him fighting for his life. No one knew whether the Northwestern University law student was going to be the same mentally, let alone survive. Matt Doyle doesn’t remember the incident or the first three weeks of lying in a hospital. Though he couldn’t move his right hand and limped tenderly, he was able to regain his composure enough to attend the trial hearing for his offenders.
Any other person would gladly punish such criminals; even if these gang members were only kids and faced a six-month sentence at a training school. However, Matthew and his father, Dan Doyle, gave them a message. If these misguided children wanted to change their lives, the Doyles would assist them in doing so, including helping them get into college.
Compassionate and sympathetic towards his aggressors, Matt Doyle exemplifies the power and value of mercy. Rather than react in anger, he understood that true comprehension was necessary if there was going to be any closure. Matt Doyle could have simply agreed with the sentencing, but it would have just increased the likelihood of repeated gang violence. After all, opportunity is one of the best ways to motivate kids who have been combating social issues such as poverty, family issues, and gang violence.
Matthew Doyle demonstrates that optimism and forgiveness create choices that benefit individuals and society as a whole. Everyone in some way or another desires to fit in with society; giving second chances is the best
way to assist individuals who have lost their way, so to speak.
Matt Doyle served as a legislative aid for Senator Joseph Lieberman. He received his M.A. from Stanford University and his B.A. from Duke University.