I thought someone else more qualified would put this up, but I see a need to get it up now.
I believe we need two Truth & Reconciliation Commissions--one to address what we have done as a nation and as independent states to our Native American, our Americans of African descent, and other groups; and a second one to address what we have allowed our government and our corporations to do to others "in our name."
Comments (4)
I agree, but think it should be focused on the past century. The more distant past, of which there are no first hand witnesses to testify, has been developing its own 'commission' in the form of the recorded history that has emerged. Let's have commissions for the 60s AIM stuff and rez kappo-states that existed, and for the resource exploitation and contamination that has occurred, with reparations or land returns. Let's at least have the govt come clean on how it destroyed the Black Panthers and incited fatal infighting in the Panthers and similar african american civil rights groups, maybe set the stage for some honesty about their courier program.
A lot of this is being naturally fleshed out in the academic and internet/film/etc, and oral accounts. A consensus history is developing, and eventually the govt will have to reconcile with the public. I'm wary of any truth and reconciliation commission that invites people to a podium to cry and vent in place of their ancestors, just because we've already done a lot of that in the past 20 years. I think to a degree the Bill Cosby is right, and that we have to stop "talking" about race and start being beyond it.
Thanks for raising this important topic!
Here is a Truth and Reconciliation Commissions pattern from our pattern language that helps shed light on this concept: http://www.publicsphereproject.org/patterns/print-pattern.php?begin=51.
"Political correctness" hardly needs a commission. It already permeates the national dialogue.
Trying to understand your comment. Political correctness is one thing, e.g. don't ask don't tell, but abuses against the Native Americans, disenfranchisement of the Americans of African descent that continues (e.g. in Ohio, seven hour lines for them, five minute new machines for the pro-Bush whites) and so on. I am heartened by a number of ideas from others centered on truth and the importance of restoring integrity to our lives. Political correctness is a white lie, truth and reconciliation is focused on big ugly black lies that have gone on for centuries. Will come back to this if you respond.