During a discussion of Robert P. Jones' article, "Trump Can't Reduce the Reduce the Decline of White Christian America", someone in our Sunday school class commented that our country's experience with multiracial democracy is only fifty-five years. South Africa's even less and I learned that their Truth and Reconciliation Commission helped them. I don't recall much of what Mandela said when he was released but forgiveness may not have been central to his subsequent actions. Twenty-seven years earlier, he probably never imagined that South Africa would have a black president during his lifetime. When released, he emerged into a different situation, one where he could finally have a voice. He now had the opportunity to do what he had wanted to do for decades. Forgetting is often more important than forgiveness in letting go of anger. Forgiveness does not make sense when crimes are condoned instead of being brought to light. Forgiveness should not be at the expense of accountability, a cornerstone of democracy. I had wanted to write a book about the crime in which I find myself to help prevent this from ever happening to an innocent person again.
During a discussion of Robert P. Jones' article, "Trump Can't Reduce the Reduce the Decline of White Christian America", someone in our Sunday school class commented that our country's experience with multiracial democracy is only fifty-five years. South Africa's even less and I learned that their Truth and Reconciliation Commission helped them. I don't recall much of what Mandela said when he was released but forgiveness may not have been central to his subsequent actions. Twenty-seven years earlier, he probably never imagined that South Africa would have a black president during his lifetime. When released, he emerged into a different situation, one where he could finally have a voice. He now had the opportunity to do what he had wanted to do for decades. Forgetting is often more important than forgiveness in letting go of anger. Forgiveness does not make sense when crimes are condoned instead of being brought to light. Forgiveness should not be at the expense of accountability, a cornerstone of democracy. I had wanted to write a book about the crime in which I find myself to help prevent this from ever happening to an innocent person again.
One has profound admiration for South Africans’ ability to move past their violent segregationist history. But one must acknowledge that reconciliation did not come without recognition - and public repudiation - of the laws and societal norms that allowed a small minority of White citizens to deny the privileges of citizenship to Black South Africans. Truth. The truth of apartheid, as told by the oppressed as well as their oppressors, was laid bare for all to see. Only then was South Africa able to reconcile and move toward creating a more just society.
So, if the United States is to have any hope of overcoming the deep rancor that divides our government and our people, we must learn the lesson of South Africa: There can be no reconciliation without truthfully acknowledging and eradicating the racism, classism, misogyny and homophobia that permeates our institutions and our society. Truth. It matters.
We now all know exactly how the Senate and Congress operates and it is shocking to watch. The Constitution must be amended to address the reality that few take their oaths seriously. That may take a generation to achieve. This is a seriously flawed document. Who would have guessed as recently as last week? We can thank the cold and calculating Republican Senators for demonstrating just how little accountability enables them. Sad I am. Our enemies within and about in the world are delighted.
Mr. Mandela was indeed a great man and South Africa, under his leadership did move forward. Unfortunately, those who came behind have not lived up to his hopes for the country.
Thank you for today's post. I didn't know much about South Africa nor Nelson Mandela other than the Nobel Peace prize. I have followed Trevor Noah. But you have improved my (embarrassing) ignorance of that era in South Africa. I am really pleased that you are sharing your wisdom and knowledge with all of us. Stay healthy and safe!👍
I have a question. How can we have reconciliation when the racist Republicans are led by a sociopath named Donald Trump? My psycologist friend says that Trump is a certifiable sociopath! So did Chuck Rosenberg say so this afternoon on MSNBC after the impeachment proceedings ended for today. A sociopath can't feel empathy for another person.
I remember this but didn’t know enough then to see how deep the racism goes in our own country. I thought we had thrown it off earlier than South Africa and except for a fringe minority it was all consigned to history. I was so wrong. Again in the US we’re addressing a racial problem left for later. The Founders left it for later and we had a civil war that almost destroyed the country. Post-Civil War the government left it for later, not wanting to anger racist whites further. Now is the third or fourth later and if we don’t do as well as the South Africans this time, bring it all into the open and get rid of it, the next time later comes due, we might turn into the white supremacist autocracy that it seems half of our people want so badly that some are willing to have another civil war. If we get through the Trump debacle without that war, whoever remains should know that we can’t be a country of endless laters. The problem needs to be solved now. The lesson of Nelson Mandela and South Africa, and other successes over systemic racism and white supremacy, should be studied and applied to us. I’m afraid with the success Trump and his people it might be too late.
Thank you Mr. Rather. I greatly value the insight and historical parallels you draw.
I well remember the history of how Nelson Mandela lead with forgiveness but ensured there was reconciliation through honest reckoning and the exposing of the injustices to the light of day.
Thank you for this. I remember your interview very well and Mr. Mandela’s visit to the US where Ted Koppel interviewed him in a town hall format. Mandela’s response to a question seemed to blow Koppel away and Mandela said something like, Mr. Koppel have I paralyzed you? It was charming and funny at the same time.
So, if the math on a majority vote to convict only counts the senator's present, wouldn't it be best for those who are not impartial to be out of the room when the vote is called?? Win win, right?
During a discussion of Robert P. Jones' article, "Trump Can't Reduce the Reduce the Decline of White Christian America", someone in our Sunday school class commented that our country's experience with multiracial democracy is only fifty-five years. South Africa's even less and I learned that their Truth and Reconciliation Commission helped them. I don't recall much of what Mandela said when he was released but forgiveness may not have been central to his subsequent actions. Twenty-seven years earlier, he probably never imagined that South Africa would have a black president during his lifetime. When released, he emerged into a different situation, one where he could finally have a voice. He now had the opportunity to do what he had wanted to do for decades. Forgetting is often more important than forgiveness in letting go of anger. Forgiveness does not make sense when crimes are condoned instead of being brought to light. Forgiveness should not be at the expense of accountability, a cornerstone of democracy. I had wanted to write a book about the crime in which I find myself to help prevent this from ever happening to an innocent person again.
During a discussion of Robert P. Jones' article, "Trump Can't Reduce the Reduce the Decline of White Christian America", someone in our Sunday school class commented that our country's experience with multiracial democracy is only fifty-five years. South Africa's even less and I learned that their Truth and Reconciliation Commission helped them. I don't recall much of what Mandela said when he was released but forgiveness may not have been central to his subsequent actions. Twenty-seven years earlier, he probably never imagined that South Africa would have a black president during his lifetime. When released, he emerged into a different situation, one where he could finally have a voice. He now had the opportunity to do what he had wanted to do for decades. Forgetting is often more important than forgiveness in letting go of anger. Forgiveness does not make sense when crimes are condoned instead of being brought to light. Forgiveness should not be at the expense of accountability, a cornerstone of democracy. I had wanted to write a book about the crime in which I find myself to help prevent this from ever happening to an innocent person again.
One has profound admiration for South Africans’ ability to move past their violent segregationist history. But one must acknowledge that reconciliation did not come without recognition - and public repudiation - of the laws and societal norms that allowed a small minority of White citizens to deny the privileges of citizenship to Black South Africans. Truth. The truth of apartheid, as told by the oppressed as well as their oppressors, was laid bare for all to see. Only then was South Africa able to reconcile and move toward creating a more just society.
So, if the United States is to have any hope of overcoming the deep rancor that divides our government and our people, we must learn the lesson of South Africa: There can be no reconciliation without truthfully acknowledging and eradicating the racism, classism, misogyny and homophobia that permeates our institutions and our society. Truth. It matters.
Excellent essay on Mandela. Thanks!
We now all know exactly how the Senate and Congress operates and it is shocking to watch. The Constitution must be amended to address the reality that few take their oaths seriously. That may take a generation to achieve. This is a seriously flawed document. Who would have guessed as recently as last week? We can thank the cold and calculating Republican Senators for demonstrating just how little accountability enables them. Sad I am. Our enemies within and about in the world are delighted.
Mr. Mandela was indeed a great man and South Africa, under his leadership did move forward. Unfortunately, those who came behind have not lived up to his hopes for the country.
Thank you for today's post. I didn't know much about South Africa nor Nelson Mandela other than the Nobel Peace prize. I have followed Trevor Noah. But you have improved my (embarrassing) ignorance of that era in South Africa. I am really pleased that you are sharing your wisdom and knowledge with all of us. Stay healthy and safe!👍
I have a question. How can we have reconciliation when the racist Republicans are led by a sociopath named Donald Trump? My psycologist friend says that Trump is a certifiable sociopath! So did Chuck Rosenberg say so this afternoon on MSNBC after the impeachment proceedings ended for today. A sociopath can't feel empathy for another person.
I remember this but didn’t know enough then to see how deep the racism goes in our own country. I thought we had thrown it off earlier than South Africa and except for a fringe minority it was all consigned to history. I was so wrong. Again in the US we’re addressing a racial problem left for later. The Founders left it for later and we had a civil war that almost destroyed the country. Post-Civil War the government left it for later, not wanting to anger racist whites further. Now is the third or fourth later and if we don’t do as well as the South Africans this time, bring it all into the open and get rid of it, the next time later comes due, we might turn into the white supremacist autocracy that it seems half of our people want so badly that some are willing to have another civil war. If we get through the Trump debacle without that war, whoever remains should know that we can’t be a country of endless laters. The problem needs to be solved now. The lesson of Nelson Mandela and South Africa, and other successes over systemic racism and white supremacy, should be studied and applied to us. I’m afraid with the success Trump and his people it might be too late.
Thank you Mr. Rather. I greatly value the insight and historical parallels you draw.
I well remember the history of how Nelson Mandela lead with forgiveness but ensured there was reconciliation through honest reckoning and the exposing of the injustices to the light of day.
Clearly the path forward for our country.
Be well,
Xris Mason
Thank you.
Thank you for this. I remember your interview very well and Mr. Mandela’s visit to the US where Ted Koppel interviewed him in a town hall format. Mandela’s response to a question seemed to blow Koppel away and Mandela said something like, Mr. Koppel have I paralyzed you? It was charming and funny at the same time.
Outstanding article.
So, if the math on a majority vote to convict only counts the senator's present, wouldn't it be best for those who are not impartial to be out of the room when the vote is called?? Win win, right?
A wonderful man.
Thanks Mr Rather
I needed an attitude adjustment