This paper draws on ideas advanced by Jane Desmond and Virginia Dominguez to explore the triangular relationship between the United States, South Africa, and Germany, focusing in particular on race and racial problems and how these countries have dealt with their pasts. While there has been much comparative work on the United States and South Africa, the inclusion of Germany adds value to the comparative exercise and engages the question of exceptionalism. The paper reflects the wide intersections in the respective national historiographies to note some areas for future research.