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 repairs-often 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, Jordan's King Abdullah II, Ireland's 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.
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"... an elegant and accessible overview of strikingly courageous speeches that have drawn from the wellsprings of religious faith to promote reconciliation ... an ideal selection for students and scholars seeking explanatory introductions, historical contextualizations, and analytic insights on reconciliation ..."
-David A. Frank, Professor of Rhetoric, University of Oregon "Hatch's heartfelt commitment to and insight on reconciliation shapes this collection of historical and contemporary public address into a tool for truth and justice ... Feast on this book for true soul food and strength for the work of battling injustice."
-Annalee Ward, Director, Wendt Character Initiative, University of Dubuque "Hatch's book elucidates reconciliation as a process that exceeds the bounds of any single speech. This is especially evident in the book's final case: reconciliation between the United Church of Canada and First Nations people. By retracing speech-acts that occurred between the oppressed and a former oppressor over the course of a dozen years and beyond, Hatch shows us that reconciliation is not a destination, but a dialogic, embodied reality-a way of life."
-Naaman K. Wood, Assistant Assistant Professor of Media and Communication Studies, Redeemer University, Ontario "... a significant contribution to the study and practice of reconciliation that should be read by all students and scholars within and beyond the discipline of communication who hope to create a just and equitable world."
-Mark L. McPhail, Senior Research Fellow, Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Multicultural Affairs, Indiana University "Speaking to Reconciliation is a masterful collection of speeches ... Hatch provides both a theoretical rationale and powerful practical examples of how reconciliation might begin. This is a must-read book for all scholars of rhetoric and race."
-Martin J. Medhurst, Distinguished Professor of Rhetoric and Communication, Baylor University "In Speaking to Reconciliation, John B. Hatch has assembled an important collection of voices that will illuminate efforts and conversations on racial reconciliation for years to come. As an Obama scholar, I found Hatch's analysis of Obama's eulogy following the terrorist attack at 'Mother Emanuel' in Charleston, South Carolina, to be especially valuable. I look forward to using this timely book in my research and teaching."
-Theon Hill, Assistant Professor of Communication, Wheaton College "John Hatch's Speaking to Reconciliation will be a welcome addition to my undergraduate rhetoric curriculum. Distilling Kenneth Burke's frames of acceptance and directing its focus on reconciliation rhetorics, this book can help students craft connections across the humanities-in communication, religion, and politics. If my undergraduates can imagine a just and peace-building discourse in this increasingly divisive civic sphere, they will have the skills to engage and improve our world. Hatch's text skillfully provides both the theory and the practice for my students to understand that reconciliation."
-Camille K. Lewis, Visiting Professor, Department of Communication Studies, Furman University "The importance of reconciliation in our world today cannot be overstated, yet the concept is frequently presented in confusing or vague terms. Not so in Speaking to Reconciliation. The speeches in this book, together with John B. Hatch's insightful comments about them, bring reconciliation's meanings in particular situations into sharp focus. What is more, Hatch's commentary illuminates how the speeches-drawn from different contexts and diverse faith traditions-speak to one another in significant ways. Students and practitioners of reconciliation stand to benefit greatly from the rich, and even transformative, conversations in this book."
-James E. Beitler, Associate Professor of English, Wheaton University "Speaking to Reconciliation provides a thoughtful, unique and in-depth analysis of speeches. The tragic-comic rhetorical framework Hatch uses for the speech analysis elucidates themes and meaning that might otherwise be missed. This approach to rhetorical analysis is very much needed and will enable faculty and students to engage in meaningful discussions about reconciliation, a theme and practice that is needed in current political and community discussions."
-Van Dora Williams, Champlain College
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.
