Racism and Transitional Justice

We write this Editorial at a time when millions around the globe have been, and continue to demonstrate, under the rallying cry of Black Lives Matter. Despite the historic critique of the excesses of anti-black police violence in the US1 (and similar racist assaults in other supposedly liberal democracies2) these abuses were viewed as exceptions to a functional democratic process and legitimate social order. They have however become so blatant, frequent and racially overt that instead of being conceived of as unfortunate exceptional incidents, they are increasingly acknowledged by those in power as the legacy of a systemic racist system intentionally designed during slavery to maintain an oppressive social order.3 It is also a moment of crisis for US democracy as the escalating actions of the state in Portland, Oregon and beyond appear more reflective of despotic rulers that provoke fierce calls for justice than the...