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Instituting a Community-level Truth and Reconciliation Commission to Address Racial Divisions

An Overview of GTRC

The community of Greensboro, North Carolina, hosted a unique Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The Greensboro Truth and Reconciliation Commission (GTRC) developed societally, rather than governmentally. Survivors and activists saw a need for action beyond the legal system. They aimed to ease the pain of victims, and address the racial hatred present in others. The GTRC is the only one in the United States.

From 2004 to 2006 the GTRC raised awareness about the racial divisions in the community. It promoted open dialogue and equality within Greensboro. They also launched a healing process for victims of discrimination. Due to the success of GTRC, a Task Force was created as a post GTRC plan. Its aim was to educate Greensboro citizens and help in the ongoing healing process. The Task Force continues to hold monthly meetings.

The Historical Context of Greensboro

On November 3, 1979, Greensboro held a march for social, racial, and economic justice. The Worker’s Viewpoint Organization of Greensboro led the march. They aimed to address racism in the textile manufacturing industry of Greensboro. Gun wielding members of the Ku Klux Klan and the American Nazi Party interrupted the march. They shot and killed five people and wounded another ten.

The need for the GTRC

On the 20th anniversary of the tragedy, Greensboro held commemorative events. They found that many citizens were unaware of the horrific details of the 1979 march. Survivors recognized that this ignorance represented a deep division within the community. Especially on opinions about race and social equality. After the anniversary, advocates began strategizing on how these divisions could be addressed. They lay the groundwork for the Greensboro Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Planning for the GTRC

In 2001, planning for the commission began. The Beloved Community Center and Greensboro Justice Fund received a grant from the Andrus Family Fund. This grant allowed the International Center for Transitional Justice to join. The ICTJ helped focus the goals and plans of the project. They initiated a National Advisory Committee, composed of both Greensboro and international supporters. The committee met to discuss the process of creating a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. This commission had to meet the needs of the Greensboro community. The community established a Local Task Force to define the specific intent of the commission. The Task Force strived to involve more community members in the process.

Learning From Past Failures

There had been many failed attempts to convict the violators. These failures in both criminal and civil trials helped to focus the goals of the Local Task Force. For example, trials held in the 1980s were made up of all-white juries that acquitted the white defendants tried for murder. This drove the Local Task Force to choose committee members with care. They created a selection panel with diversity of race, spirituality, and social status. This panel chose an equally broad range of seven commission leaders. These commission leaders from the Greensboro community led the GTRC process.

Implementing the GTRC

In 2004, the GTRC was instituted—25 years after the incident. In 2005, the Commission began recording narratives provided by survivors and witnesses. They worked with the local government to create a more accurate account of November 3rd. As survivors shared their stories, local, national, and international media began to cover the project. The Task Force members appealed to the Greensboro City council for support. As a result, Greensboro held six public hearings . These hearings allowed victims, lawyers, writers, perpetrators, police officers, and others to share their experiences. This sharing created a space for reconciliation. It helped people express their feelings and offer personal apologies for violent or discriminatory actions.

Conclusions From the GTRC

In May 2006, the GTRC released a report. This report included recommendations for community reconciliation. After the commission, the Local Task Force created and maintains a website about the GTRC. This website documents the events of the Greensboro Massacre and the GTRC process. It also explains the post GTRC report recommendations. It also includes round-table discussions examining truth-seeking efforts worldwide and community meetings.

For tactic information regarding national-level TRC processes see New Tactics tactical notebooks from South Africa and Peru.

What we can learn from this Tactic:

Several challenges exist when considering the implementation of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission like the Greensboro process. First, media can be both beneficial and detrimental. The attention drawn to Greensboro helped to raise awareness and call for action. But there were also several inaccurate reports of the actions and goals of the GTRC. Secondly, implementing a TRC created by citizens rather than the government has implications. For example, there are limits on both the action and power of the commission. Thirdly, terms must be carefully selected and definitions of goals agreed upon. The GTRC defined truth as the most commonly reported events acquired from a collection of narratives from multiple perspectives. Reconciliation was believed to only be established through acknowledgement, mourning, forgiveness, and healing. These are difficult results to assess. Lastly, there are differing opinions of the benefits of the GTRC. Some residents believe that the GTRC is harmful to community relationships. They argue it brings up negative emotions and events of the past. Thus, implementation requires attention to details and constant awareness of victims needs.
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