Is it worthwhile or pointless holding to the grievances of the past? I think that this question is almost irrelevant because it is human nature to remember the wrongs committed against us and our tribe. The majority of us will do so even if we deem it pointless or worse, self-defeating. The larger question is, how do we resolve such grievances?

Granted, colonialism was a horrific period of unparalled brutality. It is impossible to reconstruct the indigenous societies and cultures as they existed before that era and restore to them their lost lands and wealth. Even if the colonial powers agreed to pay reparations, how could they do so? 90% of the pre-Columbus population of the Americas perished. What price do you put on that?

We all share a small and increasingly vulnerable planet. How do we build eqitable and cooperative relationships between all of the various nations that hold the fate of the planet in their hands--former colonial powers and former colonies alike? What will it take, not to forget the grievances, but to work together for the common good despite those memories?