A biography that would be worth exploring is that of Willy Brandt, West German chancellor from 1969 to 1974 and Nobel Peace Prize in 1971.
In 1970, on a trip to Poland, he knelt before the monument to the victims of the uprising in the Warsaw ghetto. An act of reconciliation between two nations, after the most appalling event of the century. Here
su promesa ante dicho monumento:
"No action of mine will be so cruel that a future leader will need to fall on his knees in shame for the history of his countrymen. I will not give consent to injustice, or inhumanities by staying silently by and looking the other way. This pledge I take to all humanity, and to all that is sacred to me.
With this pledge I make my knee fall to ask forgiveness for the atrocities done in my name, or by me. History will not be repeated through my actions, or my silence. The buck stops here. Let Us bridge the gap."
Después participó también en la elaboración de un reporte sobre desarrollo y en la negociación for the release of hostages in Iraq.
His prayer / pledge makes me think of "representation" of the rulers. That is, we know that government emanates from the popular representation, or acting on our behalf. I had never noticed the fact that the government is acting on my behalf. Today I do, I feel ashamed.
Before whom I kneel down to apologize for the omissions of our governments?
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