This book is so overwhelmingly quotable and thought provoking, that if I stopped to read to Dala every last bit that stands out to me, I'd just read her the whole book. Likewise, if I stopped to share on here every last bit that stands out to me, I'd just be typing out the whole book. So obviously I won't be doing that. That said though, I just got done reading a passage out of this book, just a section of a paragraph, that I think says so, so much and I feel compelled to share it.
For context here, Desmond Tutu is talking about the formation and the makeup of The Truth and Reconciliation Commission, of which there were 17 members from various races, religions, and political affiliations.
This is about halfway through the fifth chapter of an already pretty hard to read book. Desmond Tutu does a very good job of avoiding using emotionally charged language and has described some pretty horrific incidences in basically neutral tones. Even then, I can't help but feel a great deal of sadness by what I'm reading. This one bit here, is probably the most heartbreaking thing I've read yet though. I think it speaks volumes that even a group of people with a single goal in mind and the best of intentions in their hearts have to struggle in such a way. I think it speaks volumes as to why sometimes society seems really messed up.
Don't really think I have much insightful to say, but this thought up here is important. The question I am left asking is whether we are doomed to this? Will things get better in my lifetime? I heard someone say once that as a first pass estimate, it takes about as long for conflict to be resolved as the conflict had been going on in the first place. In SA that means we are only about 10% of the way there, according to the consensus for when the shit hit the fan.
I think the Arch is right in saying there's no future without forgiveness, but these days one has to wonder whether forgiveness has any value if it was given for free. 24 years is sadly enough time for us to collectively begin to forget the past, with the result being that no-one really knows what they gave away or gained anymore. It's a bad place to be because it means that now we can't even agree that we "have the same goal in mind". The irreversibility of that lost opportunity is honestly the saddest part for me.