“Sometimes we think that if we don’t talk about things that happened in the past, those events will have no impact on us today. That is far from reality. Rather, past events and experiences have a way of impacting us, even when we don’t want to think about them. I share these wise words a therapist once said to me when trying to avoid discussing an uncomfortable issue. ‘Sweep it under the rug, and you are bound to trip over it.’

For some, that might be the most difficult part of truth and reconciliation. While it can be difficult to hear the stories, it can be even harder to realize that those experiences of mistreatment and discrimination made easier paths for others, especially if those others are us.”