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Can companies atone for their dark pasts? | Sarah Federman | TEDxSan Diego Studio
TEDx Talksยท2025-07-07 17:00

Corporate Accountability & Historical Reckoning - Companies play a critical role in mass atrocities like war, genocide, mass oppression, and ecoside [1][17] - Corporate reckoning involves studying the past, sharing it publicly, making statements of regret, and compensating harmed communities [8][9][10][19] - Addressing past wrongs can attract and retain talent, as students and consumers prefer companies with strong ethical reputations [15][16] - Corporate participation is essential for both negative outcomes (war, genocide) and positive outcomes (peace, justice, freedom, sustainability) [17] Examples of Corporate Reckoning - French National Railways commissioned an independent study, opened archives, made statements of regret, and funded memorials after participating in the Holocaust [6][8] - Lloyds of London studied and shared its ties to the transatlantic slave trade [9] - JP Morgan Chase made a statement of regret for its predecessors' participation in slavery [10] - Hudson Bay Company donated a 60,000 sq ft flagship store to indigenous communities for reconciliation [10] Call to Action - Individuals are encouraged to research the history of companies that have been around for more than 50 years and encourage them to study and share their past [18] - Encourage companies to make ethical commitments today, compensate the harmed, and acknowledge their history [19] - Support institutions and businesses that are engaging in reckoning work and encourage those that are not to do better [19]