The Paradox of Regret: Remembering and Forgetting the History of Slavery in George W. Bush's Gorée Island Address

State actors' ceremonial statements of regret, while seemingly lacking tangible outcomes compared to traditional reconciliation efforts, significantly influence public perceptions of historical justice and democratic virtue. President George W. Bush's 2007 address on Gorée Island serves as a case study revealing the paradoxical nature of such rhetoric—balancing moral remembrance with political pragmatism. The analysis demonstrates how ceremonial lamentations are strategically employed to bolster geopolitical legitimacy, despite their inherent limitations in addressing past wrongs effectively.

Vivian. (2012). The Paradox of Regret: Remembering and Forgetting the History of Slavery in George W. Bush’s Gorée Island Address History and Memory, 24(1), 5. https://doi.org/10.2979/histmemo.24.1.5