weiner

Professor Makes Case for Forgiveness as Political Power Source


	Brian Weiner began work on his book, Sins of the Parents, in the mid-80s.

Politics Professor Brian Weiner's book, Sins of the Parents: The Politics of National Apologies in the United States, begins as an exploration of how the United States can address past misdeeds--specifically the internment of Japanese Americans and the seizure of Oneida Indian Nation's land--and ends with the possibility of a new national identity forged by asking forgiveness of past wrongs.

"I wanted to try to think about alternatives to defensive postures and, on the other side, the wallowing in victimization which leads to a sense of political resignation," Weiner said. "I wanted to say, 'we can act, we can do something about these wrongs.'"

Weiner began his thinking about political wrongs in the mid-80s during government hearings on reparations to Japanese Americans. The outcome of those hearings--a national apology and some financial repayment--struck Weiner as extraordinarily hopeful. With a majority of conservative and liberal Congressional leaders supportive of it, the apology at once helped resolve past resentments and reaffirmed Japanese Americans' identification with the United States.

The outcome also spurred other ethnic groups, specifically American Indians, to ask for an apology and reparation. Weiner focuses on the Oneida's land claim, which twice has been argued before the Supreme Court and is still unresolved. The Indian tribe says approximately 250,000 acres of New York State belongs to them by historical treaty. The political ramifications of such a settlement, or any reparation that includes return of land, is hotly contested. Weiner considers how the courts have attempted to differentiate between "ancient" claims, which can't be considered the responsibility of present generations, and the relevance that past wrongs continue to have in the country's current political life.

"We tend to frame these issues theologically, therapeutically, or juridically but we should deal with them politically, meaning what should we do?" Weiner said. "What does this mean for us now and for our future?" He argues that indeed the "sins of the parents" continue to affect people today because relationships are strained and resentments simmer.

"Part of what I'm suggesting is if we could rediscover some parts of our political identity, it may be invigorating," Weiner said. "If we (citizens) could have the experience of responding to a wrong, then we can be part of a collectivity that can do something about wrongs."


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University of San Francisco • Educating Minds and Hearts to Change the World	last modified: November 2, 2005