The Truth Commission on The British Empire

What’s This Podcast
About?

In this series we focus on Britain's colonial past and consider whether the country might be ready for a Truth And Reconciliation Commission, as a way to unite us and improve our relationship to the wider world. We hear deeply personal stories that look at both the risks and healing potential of facing the past, exposing hidden histories and finally hearing the truth. Drawing on transformative justice models from around the world, and most recently in Europe, we consider how these could be adapted to fit Britain's history of Empire. We encourage constructive conversations on how and where we should start, when covering several hundred years of history, on an empire that spread across the world. We interview mediators, International UN lawyers, TRC Commissioners and investigators, human rights activists, victims, perpetrators, “Heirs of Slavery” historians, authors, artists, and psychotherapists.  We talk to the descendants of both those that have benefited and others that have suffered from the enduring legacy of the Empire. Hearing new evidence recently uncovered in the dusty attics of ancient British homes. We widen the narrative, bringing back little known stories from across Britain's former colonies, and explore how these often conflicting narratives can be reconciled with the official story that Britain holds. We explore whether transformation is possible, discussing how to turn the page, correct the record and speak truth to power.  We also hear remarkable stories of reconciliation, restitution and gestures of repair, and consider the arguments for reparations, with creative solutions for how these might be delivered. The podcasts are also a call for action, There is a link below to the global petition calling for an official British TRC to be established, If you agree please sign and share . https://chng.it/mjksWP7bBB  Your host is Tamara Gordon. In 1996  she made a multiple award winning film on South Africa’s Truth and reconciliation Commission for the BBC. Returning to the UK she held the hope that one day Britain might be courageous enough to attempt the same. She also returned to embark on her own personal search for truth to find her birth father, after being interracially adopted into Britain as a baby. However what she uncovered was a conflicted family story of Empire, which left her painfully divided. Her ancestors had both benefitted and been oppressed by this past that they shared. Having seen what was possible in South Africa she was hopeful they could reconcile their past in the present, bringing both sides of her family back together, centuries on. The story of which is also told across this series. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Tamara Gordon