ABSTRACT
Speaking of history is not only about stating facts and events but also relates to re-thinking these phenomena. History should not be perceived of as a matter of the past because it remains in our memories and because many historical events still need to be rectified and dealt with. The history of humanity is one of accomplishments and struggles for justice. It is also one of atrocities, genocide, exploitation and domination. Recorded history is selective in the sense that it has largely been written from the point of view of dominant peoples. This means that important facts, as well as the voices of the marginalized, were probably not included in the written history. I emphasize that our awareness of history should lead us to draw lessons and to understand how far we have gone in respecting human dignity. It should also enable us to learn from our experiences of victimization in order to avoid repeating mistakes of the past and to identify solutions and actions to improve the conditions of the marginalized.
