This is your place to publicly comment on the topics and issues addressed in Speaking of Faith programs. React in a personal way, and put into words what the programs mean to you.

Archbishop Tutu once suggested that a truth and reconciliation commission might serve as a model for dealing with racism and injustice in the U.S. Why would, or why wouldn't, such a commission work in the United States?
Share Your Reflection

The Effectiveness of the TRC (September 5, 2004)
Thank you for the great work on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission program. As friends of Amy Biehl's family and having worked with them in South Africa, we are very appreciative of the power of the TRC concept. The more it can be shared with the American public, the better. As a side note, my niece left today to monitor the upcoming truth commission activities in Sierra Leone. We are anxious to receive her reports. Again, thank you for addressing such highly significant issues on Speaking of Faith. Keep up the great work.

Larry Kendall
St. Louis, MO (KWMU, 90.7 FM)

Better Than Sundance (August 29, 2004)
Today, I listened to your show for the second time. It is broadcast here in Chicago between 6:00 and 7:00 am, an hour in which I am traditionally asleep. However, this morning I felt compelled to click my remote control to WBEZ to find out what was on. I was immediately mesmerized and wide awake. Thank you for a remarkable story.

Several years ago, I saw a movie on the Truth and Reconciliation Committee at the Sundance Film Festival, a film which won the Best Documentary Award. I believe I was more taken with your story and the depth of the interviews. I have added your website to my "Favorites," signed up for your newsletter, and made a mental note that it is eminently worth my effort to set my alarm for 6:00 am on Sunday.

Sharon Novak
Chicago, IL (WBEZ, 91.5 FM)

Of Course They Can Work (August 28, 2004)
Of course Truth and Reconciliation Commissions would work in the United States. Your program made it clear that this is a powerful process and that it certainly works. The only question is how it would come about and in relation to what issue(s). Anyone who is interested in a stunning example of truth and reconciliation on a local level right here in the U.S. can find it in the 1995 book, Not by the Sword by Kathryn Watterson, which chronicles the nearly incredible process of repentence of a former Grand Dragon of the White Knights of the KKK of Nebraska, a repentence courageously provoked by a Jewish cantor whom he was persecuting.

Thank you for this remarkable program which not only educated me about South Africa but took me, personally, into the difficulties and possibilities of forgiveness, and made me see that these forces and questions are with me as well—in my own day-to-day life.

Bob Salmon
Cranford, NJ (WNYC, 820 AM)

Truth and Reconciliation (January 6, 2004)
My thoughts run in two different directions. Recently, I returned to the US after spending 2 weeks travelling throughout the RSA. I am convinced that the RSA would have indeed already have exploded/imploded without an institutionalized effort to deal honestly with the legacy of the inhumane violence of racism. Yet the inequities that continue to plague this awesome country are staggering. Much more work needs to be accomplished. However, the courage and spirit of many South Africans whom I was fortunate to talk to in informal settings (away from the hyper-optimistic views of tour operators) brought tears to my eyes and healing to my soul.

Finally, I say the RSA hopefully will lead the way to teach the USA to function in Truth and in Reconciliation with its muddled history of racism. The tangled history of the life of the late Strom Thurmond is an example of the continuing hypocrisy of the US. How can this country hope to export the wonders of democracy throughout the globe when this country's foundation consists of the legacy of racial violence and disenfranchisement. The United States of America sorely needs to submit itself in the spirit of Kairos to a process of Truth as it reveals itself and Reconciliation to that truth. Otherwise, this country will continue to celebrate the birthday of Martin Luther King by holding his prophetic words of "Free at last, etc." as fiction rather than as a guide for an improved reality for all citizens.

Audrey Tucker
Philadelphia, PA (WHYY 91.0 FM)

Music to My Heart (January 4, 2004)
Thank you. The eloquence of the speakers, one and all, was refreshing, uplifting, and the music sang straight to my heart.

Sydell Kime
Evanston, IL (WBEZ 91.5 FM)

Truth and Reflection (January 3, 2004)
I found this program deeply moving. I, too, have had the experience of a victim reaching out to a perpetrator seeking resolution and in the moment where the dual humanities broke through, whatever we call God was indeed present.

Would this effort work in the United States? How could it not? The deepest crisis of the question is that it will not happen as a major effort. It will stay in the far reaches of the volunteers who join together to train as mediators.

I thank you all for my New Year's touch of the ineffable as pronounced in the voices on today's program.

Deborah Gordon-Brown
Evanston, IL (WNYC 820 AM)