Previously I had discussed the idea of truth telling sites. I believe them to be of great importance to the process of reconciliation and healing. They help to meet one of the goals outlined by D. Crocker in that they allow a public forum for victims. An example would be the list of names of women at the fort in Johannesburg. They can also be used to fill other requirements.
However I want to examine them in the context of Gone but not Forgotten that we discussed recently in Cape Town. Dr. Keasley asked us if we used forgiveness in our own life. Our answers were varied and many however a number of us pinpointed trust as a key factor for us. Trust seems to be a key component for any reconciliation to occur. This trust I believe must be on going and continue into future generations. Should this not be done it would be simple for old enemies to nurse wounds and tell their side to their descendents.
To try and mitigate this I think that truth telling sites are critical. They allow for latter generations to learn and remember the truth of the history. Our first lecturer at the University of Cape Town (UCT) spoke to us on the different histories of the country. One story she told was of the concentration camps that the British used during the Anglo-Boer war. These camps were not just for the Boers but for the Africans who were part of their household. The records of those people were destroyed at some point, most likely during apartheid, and now there is no record. A single history that all the people share and recognize is critical and to bring that history home to people sites are needed.
Even so I think that it is clear that a common history and understanding has not yet been fully realized. Lecturers Jolobe and Ntsebeza both emphasized to us that they believe that the process is not finished and that there is still much work to be done. Ntsebeza has been working on research regarding the return and redistribution of land. He was recommending a TRC (Truth and Reconciliation Commission) on Land. He made the clear point that although many of the wounds have been dealt with the fact remains that at least 80% of the land in South Africa remains in the hands of whites. Neither Ntsebeza nor I would like to see a situation like Zimbabwe occur in South Africa however someone must do something.
This leads me back to my goal with these blogs and this class, to determine the means and best use for truth telling sites. I have spoken to a number of South Africans, white and black, and there is not a common history that they tell. Everyone could tell me about the truth telling sites though and they said that they told the true story, as much as was there. That says to me that there needs to me more of these sites that really bring home the history and the interconnectedness of the countries different racial groups.
Hamba Kahle! Until we meet again Ryan E. Hardman
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I was definitely one of the people who believes trust is a very important aspect of forgiveness. I would also agree that South Africa has not found a common history. I do think they have a common history because of Apartheid, but the different races experienced Apartheid differently. I think what needs to happen is that whites need to understand the black view of Apartheid and perhaps vice versa, but I think more so the former. I think in order for reconciliation to really work, everyone in South Africa needs to come to a consensus to finally be able to move on. One of the best ways to do this is by gaining information about each other. I learned last semester a theory that states that countries go to war to learn more about each other, to be able to stop having misunderstandings and misperceptions and to figure out the capabilities about the other side and I think this would work well for South Africa. People need to understand each other and they need to do this through finding out more information about each other.
ReplyDelete