In North America, Africa, and across the globe, many societies are deeply divided along racial, ethnic, political, or religious lines as a result of violent/oppressive histories. Bridging such divides requires symbolic action that transcends, reframes, redeems, and repairsoften drawing upon resources of faith. Speaking to Reconciliation showcases this tradition through speeches by Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., Elie Wiesel, Desmond Tutu, Barack Obama, Thich Nhat Hanh, Jordans King Abdullah II, Irelands President Mary McAleese, and others. Some of these speeches set forth principles or spiritual practices of reconciliation. Others acknowledge injustice, make apologies for historical wrongs, call for reparations, or commend the power of forgiveness. Speaking to Reconciliation presents a conceptual framework for doing analysis and critique of reconciliation discourse and applies this framework in introductions to the speeches, offering readers a springboard for further study and, potentially, inspiration to promote justice and reconciliation in their own spheres.

John B. Hatch (Ph.D., Regent University) is Professor of Communication Studies at Eastern University. His book Race and Reconciliation won the 2009 Top Book Award from the NCA Communication Ethics division. He has published numerous articles on racial reconciliation, dialogic rhetoric, religion, and culture.

List of Figures – Foreword – Acknowledgments – Introduction – Introduction to Part I – Reconciling a Divided Nation: Abraham Lincoln – Redressing a Grave Injustice: U.S. Rep. Thaddeus Stevens – Clearing the Way of Peace on Earth: Martin Luther King Jr. – Exposing Injustice against a Horizon of Reconciliation: Desmond Tutu – Framing South African Reconciliation: Desmond Tutu – Religious Resources for Reconciliation in a Divided World: Miroslav Volf – Mindfulness as a Key to Reconciliation: Thich Nhat Hanh – Rooting Reconciliation in a Shared Past: President Mary McAleese of Ireland – Bridging America’s Racial Divide: Barack Obama – Bridging a Divide between Civilizations: Barack Obama – Bridging Religious Divides: King Abdullah II of Jordan – Introduction to Part II – Remembering and Redressing Incomprehensible Evil: Elie Wiesel – Acknowledging a Heinous Historical Crime: George W. Bush – Explaining and Offering a Historical Apology: U.S. Rep. Tony Hall – Commending the Grace of Forgiveness and Repentance: Barack Obama – Reconciliation Unfolding: United Church of Canada – Conclusion: The Ongoing Work of Reconciliation.