March 19, 1999
Facing the Truth with Bill Moyers
On Monday, March 29, the San Diego Public Library and The Television Race Initiative invite the public to preview a program about South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). The TRC offers amnesty to people who committed human rights violations during the apartheid era and can show a political motive for doing so. In exchange, perpetrators must tell the truth publicly, testifying about their knowledge of state-sponsored torture, kidnapping, and assassinations.
The program begins at 6p.m. In the third floor auditorium of the Central Library and is free to the public. The Central Library is located at 820 E Street, San Diego.
At first glance, you might think Facing the Truth is just a horror story, another litany of the awful human rights violations of which there have been so many in the 20th century. It is hard to understand why people do to each other what we see in the film.
But Facing the Truth is not just about horror; it is attempting to show the world how a shattered nation can become whole again. The program reveals the powerful and disturbing stories of perpetrators, victims and family members, and describes the complexities of life in South Africa today. It raises important questions about justice and reconciliation in South Africa today. It raises important questions about justice and reconciliation in South Africa, while offering hope for the future. Randy Jones, moderator, Christian Fellowship Community Congregational Church, will facilitate the discussion.
Facing the Truth will be shown nationally on PBS Tuesday, March 30th, check your local listing for time.
Hailed worldwide as a model for airing gross violations of human rights without resorting to Nuremberg-style trials, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was seen by many in South Africa as a means of healing the wounds of history. "We needed to acknowledge that we had a horrendous past," said TRC chairman, Desmond Tutu. "We needed to look the beast in the eye, so that the past wouldn't hold us hostage anymore."
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