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Frequently Asked Questions
How did the
GTCRP begin?
How is the
GTCRP funded?
When will
the Project end its work?
How does
the GTCRP define “truth” and “reconciliation”?
Where can I
get more information about transitional justice and truth commissions?
How does
the GTCRP fit within the context of other truth commissions?
How does the fact the
some of the leaders of the GTCRP were victims of November 3rd affect
the truth seeking aspect of the project?
Does the
GTCRP offer internships or volunteer positions?
Who do I
contact for more information about the Project or the Commission?
Why is the
GTCRP needed at this point in our history?
Why should
I care what happened in Greensboro over twenty years ago?
Can a
non-governmental truth commission with no subpoena power truly accomplish
anything?
Why have a
truth commission if there have already been court cases and investigations?
How can I
become involved?
How did
the GTCRP begin?
The GTCRP
was born out of the spiritual, cultural
and educational outpouring affected by the twentieth anniversary commemoration
of the events of November 3rd, 1979. In the wake of these events,
members of the Beloved Community Center and the Greensboro Justice Fund formed a
coalition that met with Lisa Magrell of the International Center for
Transitional Justice to discuss the possibilities and implications of
establishing a Truth Commission.
How is
the GTCRP funded?
The GTCRP
is supported financially by grants from the Andrus Family Fund. The Project is
also sustained by the members of the National Advisory Committee and the Local
Task Force and the student organizers at the local colleges and universities who
have collectively contributed thousands of hours of their time and support.
When
will the Project end its work?
Once the
Truth and Reconciliation Commission has completed its mandated fifteen-month
investigation and issued its report, the GTCRP will help facilitate a year-long
series of community discussions. These discussions will serve to publicize the
findings of the Commission and to determine how to best implement the
Commission’s recommendations for improving our community. After this, the GTCRP
will effectively complete its work.
How does
the GTCRP define “truth” and “reconciliation”?
The GTCRP’s perspective
on truth is based primarily on the insight of Eduardo Gonzales, who coordinated
public hearings for the recently completed Peruvian Truth Commission and who
spoke at the Project’s spiritual preparation conference in November 2003. The
GTCRP does not presume that the Commission will find one absolute truth
concerning the events of November 3rd. We do anticipate, however,
that the final report will incorporate many different perspectives and will
filter out misinformation and falsehoods. This process will be successful to
the degree that a rich, varied, complex narrative rendering of the “truth” of
November 3rd emerges from the Commission’s work and that the
community gradually acknowledges and understands this component of its history.
Our basic assumption
regarding reconciliation is that it cannot truly be realized in the absence of
truth. Once the truth is agreed upon and reckoned with, the community can
tailor for itself a reconciliation process that includes acknowledgement,
mourning, forgiveness and healing.
Where
can I get more information about transitional justice and truth commissions?
The Web
site for the International Center for Transitional Justice contains extensive
links on past and present truth commissions. Also, Priscilla B. Hayner’s
Unspeakable Truths: Facing the Challenge of Truth Commissions provides a
comprehensive inventory and analysis of twenty-one truth commissions from around
the world.
How does
the GTCRP fit within the context of other truth commissions?
As the
first of its kind in the United States, this Project seeks to translate the
international lessons learned from previous truth commissions into a model that
can heal many of the divisions caused tragic unresolved events throughout our
nation’s unique history.
How can the Project be
fair if the leaders of the GTCRP were victims of November 3rd?
In every instance around
the world, victims have initiated truth and reconciliation processes. Serving
as advocates for the Project, however, does not mean that the victims become
Commissioners. Survivors of November 3rd have been closely
involved in the inception and advancement of the Project, but our progress would
not have been possible without the support and dedication of many other
individuals- ministers, elected officials, college professors, students,
therapists, doctors, restorative justice experts, artists, lawyers, scholars and
many others who have been inspired by the aims of the Project. The Local Task
Force and the National Advisory Committee now collectively comprise nearly 100
individuals and members of the Selection Panel are the appointees of fourteen
diverse community organizations. This Panel, which operates as a distinct
entity from the GTCRP, is selecting Truth Commissioners from nearly 70
nominations submitted by Greensboro residents. All residents were invited to
nominate commissioners, and all nominations were submitted to the Panel for
deliberation. In seeking to be inclusive of all voices and perspectives that
wish to be heard, the process, by design, prevents any one individual or group
from exerting singular influence or authority.
Does the
GTCRP offer internships or volunteer positions?
Yes. The
Project’s work presents real-world applications for a variety of academic
disciplines and student interns already have played an important role while
receiving valuable experiential learning. Volunteers are welcomed for tasks
ranging from administrative support to collecting petition signatures.
Who do I
contact for more information about the Project or the Commission?
Click here
to go to Contact Us link of this Web site.
Why is
the GTCRP needed at this point in our history?
Greensboro
has a proud history of leadership in the struggle for civil rights, but the
events of November 3rd are a lingering source of deep division, fear,
and distrust within our community. Honestly facing this tragedy in a spirit of
community reconciliation will not only provide us the opportunity to be a beacon
of transformation and progressive change for our nation and the world, but will
also forge deeper community ties upon which the city can build a stronger
economic future. The McKinsey Report, commissioned by the City to recommend
ways to revitalize Greensboro, cited enhancing the city’s image and improving
race relations as two of the six vital needs for economic development. As its
citizens struggle to transform Greensboro to meet the challenges of the future,
the GTCRP actively seeks to provide a means of fulfilling these goals.
Why
should I care what happened in Greensboro over twenty years ago?
For
residents, even if you didn’t live in Greensboro in 1979, or weren’t even born
yet, you live here now. Regardless of how aware you are about the events of
November 3rd, they still affect the community where you, your friends
and your family live, work and go to school. Also, the tragedy provides a
learning opportunity that can benefit the whole nation.
How can
a non-governmental truth commission with no subpoena power uncover new
information?
Many truth
commissions have relied solely on volunteers to come forward with information,
with impressive results. In Peru, a government-sponsored commission with no
subpoena power has taken over 17,000 statements, from victims and others,
including perpetrators. In Brazil and Guatemala, church-led truth-seeking
processes were key in revealing a history of injustice and violence that the
government was unwilling to disclose by itself. There is no reason why a
community-based effort in Greensboro would not be able to make an important
contribution in the same way.
Why have
a truth commission if there have already been court cases and investigations?
Court cases
only address the evidence at hand at the time, only speak to the narrow issues
defined by legal charges, and must attend to rules of evidence that may hinder a
broader and more comprehensive understanding of the causes and consequences.
Plus, the adversarial approach to justice has done nothing to apply the lessons
of the tragedy to building a stronger, more connected community for the present
and future.
How can
I become involved?
First of all, share this information with others! The GTCRP needs your support, involvement, and input
as we strive to create a public dialogue within which all voices are heard and
respected. To learn more about attending events, participating in community
discussions, or organizing a presentation at your church, school, or civic club,
click here to go to our Get Involved
page. |
