Paper/Proposal Title
Truth and Accountability in Los Angeles: Global Norms Informing City Reckoning Around Racial Justice
Location
Room S2060, Curran Place
Start Date
12-2-2021 11:30 AM
End Date
12-2-2021 1:00 PM
Keywords
Truth and Accountability; Transitional Justice
Abstract
At a time when states are increasingly hostile to international rights and norms, activists are having some success with using cities as a point of entry for the implementation of such global norms. This trend is most evident in the wave of so-called “human rights cities” which, in short, attempt to use international norms to inform more effective city policy on issues that range from homelessness to economic inequity, LGBTQI rights, police reform, climate change, and just transitions. This gives context to this paper. Based on an ongoing research partnership with the L.A. Mayor's Office around integrating SDG-based global norms into local policy, our most recent project has used SDG16 to inspire work on a citywide truth and accountability process around L.A.'s history of racial injustice. The theoretical question it addresses is if global norms can inform local policy in ways that allow cities and communities to productively address a previously ignored history of racial injustice through a truth and accountability process. The policy question is what lessons can be learned from case studies around the globe about how -- based on what processes and policies -- to best convene such a truth and accountability process.
Author/Speaker Biographical Statement(s)
Anthony Tirado Chase, Chair, Young Initiative on the Global Political Economy; Professor, Diplomacy & World Affairs, Occidental College
Truth and Accountability in Los Angeles: Global Norms Informing City Reckoning Around Racial Justice
Room S2060, Curran Place
At a time when states are increasingly hostile to international rights and norms, activists are having some success with using cities as a point of entry for the implementation of such global norms. This trend is most evident in the wave of so-called “human rights cities” which, in short, attempt to use international norms to inform more effective city policy on issues that range from homelessness to economic inequity, LGBTQI rights, police reform, climate change, and just transitions. This gives context to this paper. Based on an ongoing research partnership with the L.A. Mayor's Office around integrating SDG-based global norms into local policy, our most recent project has used SDG16 to inspire work on a citywide truth and accountability process around L.A.'s history of racial injustice. The theoretical question it addresses is if global norms can inform local policy in ways that allow cities and communities to productively address a previously ignored history of racial injustice through a truth and accountability process. The policy question is what lessons can be learned from case studies around the globe about how -- based on what processes and policies -- to best convene such a truth and accountability process.
