Forum Addresses Slavery, Genocide

That was the message conveyed Wednesday night during a forum titled "Holocaust, Slavery and Genocide: An Introspective in Modern Human Tragedies."

The forum, held in 100 Hamilton Hall, was hosted by the Spencer Triad resident assistant staff and drew about 20 people.

Spencer Triad RA Julie Mancuso moderated the forum and said the event was designed to provoke thought among students on UNC's campus.

"It is important that we understand what happened in these tragedies and how these events occurred," Mancuso said. "We hope this forum raises questions and creates discussion about issues that students normally don't think about."

The event featured commentary and perspectives from three UNC faculty members.

Tim McMillan, an assistant professor in the Department of African and Afro-American Studies at UNC, provided expertise concerning slavery and the issue of reparations.

Professor Christopher Browning is an expert on the Holocaust and teaches classes at UNC concerning anti-Semitism and Adolf Hitler's dictatorship.

Robert Greenberg, an associate professor in the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures, served as an intermediary between issues surrounding the Holocaust and slavery.

Following a brief introduction, a short film was shown containing various disturbing images of both slavery and the Holocaust.

Browning then offered his insight into the Holocaust. He emphasized that both slavery and the Holocaust were horrific instances in history that had to be dealt with separately.

"Nothing can be gained if these events are contested on the grounds of comparative victimization," he said.

Browning's main point was that monetary reparations were not the answer to society's problems. "Rectification and social change, not reparations, are the answer to the injustices of the past," he said.

McMillan spoke next on slavery and reparations. He pointed out that most discriminatory situations are rooted in the idea of slavery but noted that slavery and racism are two different issues.

McMillan strongly emphasized the importance of remembering events in America's past. He said many Americans do not feel guilty about slavery because they are not educated and aware of the issue themselves.

Greenberg said reparations are not an appropriate solution because of the complexity of issues like slavery. He also noted the fact that reparations were simply ways of absolving guilt.

"The problem is that you cannot throw money at the issue," he said. "Because oftentimes money is swallowed up by the wrong people."

The University Editor can be reached at udesk@email.unc.edu.