Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò & America's Need for a Truth and Reconciliation Comission

A year after George Floyd’s death, is America ready for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission? Why is equality against the law not enough for racism to be defeatted? And how will America’s self-image as a country that pulled itself up from its bootstraps have to change when it finally admits to the huge role slavery played in the wealth it enjoys today?  

Olúfémi Táíwò is Professor of African Political Thought at the Africana Studies and Research Center, at Cornell University. Born in Nigeria, his work aims to expand the African reach in philosophy and, simultaneously, to indigenize the discipline, making it more relevant to Africa and African students.  He is the author of How Colonialism Preempted Modernity in Africa, and last spring Taiwo wrote a powerful essay for The Philosopher journal entitled: “Does the United States need a truth and reconciliation commission?”, now being turned into a book.

This podcast is created in partnership with The Philosopher, the UK’s longest running public philosophy journal.  The Spring Issue of The Philosopher is out,  tackling a timeless and timely topic, the relationship between Authority and Knowledge.  To order your copy visit: https://www.thephilosopher1923.org


Artwork by Nick Halliday