Accountability in History: The Fight Against Criminal Sanitization

History shapes how societies and communities understand themselves and their past. Yet, the way history is told often faces a challenge: sanitization. This means important events, especially uncomfortable or controversial ones, get softened, altered, or omitted entirely to present a more favorable or less troubling narrative. TAC's fight against sanitization is a fight for accountability—ensuring that history reflects truth, complexity, and the voices of those often silenced. Furthermore, TAC recognizes sanitization in certain cases is not merely a benign act of compassion, but a blatant crime against the trust of a community of people who are exploited for the sake of financial gain or political power by the sanitizer.

This TAC explores why accountability matters in history, how sanitization distorts understanding, and examples of efforts to reclaim honest historical narratives.

A history book with annotations symbolizing the effort to uncover true historical accounts

Why Accountability Matters in History

Accountability in history means holding individuals, institutions, and societies responsible for their actions and decisions in the past. It requires acknowledging mistakes, injustices, and harms rather than hiding or minimizing them.

Without accountability, history risks becoming a tool for propaganda or denial. It can:

• Erase marginalized voices: Groups affected by oppression or violence may be left out or misrepresented.

• Perpetuate myths: False or incomplete stories can shape harmful stereotypes or national myths.

• Hinder learning: Societies cannot learn from past mistakes if those mistakes are ignored or distorted.

  
  

Accountability helps build a foundation for justice, reconciliation, and informed citizenship. It encourages critical thinking and empathy by presenting history in its full complexity.

How Sanitization Distorts History

Sanitization often happens for political, cultural, or social reasons. Governments, educators, or media may alter historical accounts to:

• Protect national pride or identity

• Avoid uncomfortable truths about violence or discrimination

• Promote a single dominant narrative

  
  

This process can take many forms:

• Omission: Leaving out events like genocides, slavery, or colonial abuses.

• Downplaying: Minimizing the scale or impact of atrocities.

• Reframing: Portraying oppressors as heroes or victims.

• Selective memory: Highlighting positive achievements while ignoring negative consequences.

  
  

For example, some school textbooks have been criticized for glossing over the realities of colonialism or racial segregation. This creates generations with a skewed understanding of their country’s past.

Examples of Sanitization and Its Consequences

The United States and Slavery

For decades, many American history textbooks presented slavery as a benign institution or focused on the economic benefits rather than the brutal realities. This sanitized version ignored the human suffering and systemic racism that followed.

The consequences included:

• Persistent racial inequalities

• Misunderstanding of civil rights struggles

• Resistance to confronting systemic racism today

  
  

Efforts to revise curricula and include firsthand accounts from enslaved people have pushed back against this sanitization.

Japan and World War II

Japan’s treatment of its wartime history, particularly regarding events like the Nanjing Massacre and comfort women, has faced criticism for downplaying or denying atrocities. This sanitization has strained relations with neighboring countries and complicated reconciliation efforts.

Public debates and activism have pressured Japan to acknowledge these events more openly, though tensions remain.

Colonialism in Africa and Asia

Many former colonial powers sanitized their histories by emphasizing the "civilizing mission" and economic development while ignoring exploitation, violence, and cultural destruction.

This has affected how former colonies view their past and their relationship with former colonizers. Postcolonial scholarship and local histories have challenged these narratives, emphasizing the voices of colonized peoples.

The Role of Historians and Educators

Historians and educators play a crucial role in combating sanitization by:

• Researching thoroughly: Using diverse sources, including oral histories and archives.

• Presenting multiple perspectives: Including marginalized voices and conflicting accounts.

• Encouraging critical thinking: Teaching students to question sources and narratives.

• Promoting transparency: Acknowledging gaps or uncertainties in historical knowledge.

  
  

By doing so, they help create a more honest and inclusive understanding of history.

Public Movements and Memory Work

Communities and activists also fight sanitization through:

• Memorials and museums: Honoring victims and educating the public.

• Truth commissions: Investigating past abuses and promoting reconciliation.

• Art and literature: Sharing stories that challenge dominant narratives.

• Digital archives: Making hidden histories accessible worldwide.

  
  

For example, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa helped expose apartheid’s crimes and foster healing. Similarly, Indigenous groups worldwide have worked to reclaim their histories through storytelling and cultural preservation.

Challenges in the Fight Against Sanitization

Despite progress, challenges remain:

• Political resistance: Some governments resist acknowledging uncomfortable histories.

• Public denial: Societies may reject narratives that challenge their identity.

• Resource limitations: Research and education require funding and support.

• Complexity of history: Balancing multiple perspectives without creating confusion.

  
  

Addressing these challenges requires ongoing commitment from scholars, educators, policymakers, and communities.

Moving Forward: How Individuals Can Support Accountability

Everyone can contribute to a more accountable history by:

• Seeking diverse sources: Read books, watch documentaries, and listen to stories from different perspectives.

• Questioning simplified narratives: Be skeptical of histories that seem too neat or one-sided.

• Supporting inclusive education: Advocate for curricula that reflect full historical realities.

• Engaging in conversations: Discuss history openly and respectfully with others.

• Visiting museums and memorials: Learn from places dedicated to preserving truthful accounts.

  
  

These actions help build a society that values truth and learns from its past.

History is not just about the past. It shapes identity, justice, and the future. The fight against sanitization is a fight for honesty and accountability. By embracing the full complexity of history, societies and communities can better understand themselves and work toward a more just world. Take the next step by exploring histories beyond the surface and supporting TAC's efforts to hold individuals and corporations accountable for their role in sanitizing some of the most reprehensible episodes of history.