should states appologize for slavery?

[RamboPreacher]

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article ... 81,00.html

Tuesday, Mar. 27, 2007
Should States Apologize for Slavery?
By Jeninne Lee-St. John

On Monday Maryland became only the second state after Virginia to officially seek atonement for slavery. The state's House of Delegates approved a measure, already passed by the senate and not requiring the governor's signature, expressing "profound regret for the role that Maryland played in instituting and maintaining slavery and for the discrimination that was slavery's legacy."

While the apology for slavery has been grabbing all the headlines, it's the regret for the legacy of slavery that really matters.

Many non-blacks assert that they shouldn't apologize for something they didn't do. There is logic to that thinking: if you didn't own slaves or enable others to own slaves, you aren't culpable. But the U.S. didn't do a very good job of converting its former slaves to full-fledged citizens. Slavery gave way to Jim Crow, lynchings, poll taxes, redlining and educational and job discrimination. Although illegal now, these tools perpetuated a racial hierarchy that affects every American today, no matter how subtly. Just compare any rates of achievement, poverty, imprisonment by race; blacks are nowhere closing to catching up.

No wonder black people were so appalled when Frank Hargrove, a Virginia legislator who is white, said last month "black citizens should get over" slavery. That notion invalidates the black reality. It essentially says: The discrimination you feel and I benefit from is an illusion — or at least has no historical context.

Ultimately, Hargrove voted for Virginia's apology measure, which was passed in February and acknowledges that abolition was followed by "insidious institutions and practices toward Americans of African descent that were rooted in racism, racial bias and racial misunderstanding." Put more simply, the Maryland resolution seems to imply that discrimination against blacks hurts everyone: "Slavery's legacy has afflicted the citizens of our state down to the present."

These aren't easy things to talk about. It's one thing to say that slavery, so long ago, was wrong; quite another to discuss our complicity in its lingering effects. That's why Delegate Michael L. Vaughn, who sponsored the Maryland House measure, says the apology isn't about reparations but opening a dialogue to bridge the racial divide. "Slavery has had a negative effect on relationships between people of color and non-color to this day," Vaughn, who is black, told me. "When we talk about matters of race, people are uncomfortable. I don't think this resolution is the be-all, end-all, but it gets people talking."

Legislators in a handful of states including Missouri and Georgia are considering their own expressions of regret for slavery, and Rep. Stephen I. Cohen, a white Tennessean, just introduced a resolution for a national apology in the U.S. House that reads, in part, "African-Americans continue to suffer from the consequences of slavery and Jim Crow — long after both systems were formally abolished — through enormous damage and loss, both tangible and intangible, including the loss of human dignity and liberty, the frustration of careers and professional lives, and the long-term loss of income and opportunity."

Obviously, not everyone is convinced that the apology is necessary. Maryland Delegate Patrick L. McDonough said he voted against the resolution not only because his ancestors were in Ireland during the time of U.S. slavery, but also because he feels such a stance amounts to meaningless symbolism. "I don't think apologies solve anything," the Baltimore Sun reported McDonough saying. "They're just feel-good superficial measures."

But sometimes feel-good does good. "The first step in healing is to apologize," Vaughn says. "For a young person who is knowledgeable of the effects slavery has had on him and his country — for any of us who have felt discriminated against because of this legacy — you do have a small sense of relief when you hear an apology."

[Gerald Creasy]

The states that should apologize for slavery as soon as the African tribes that sold their captured tribes to slavers apologize.

As soon as the AMERICAN blacks who owned black slaves apologize (there were even BLACK slave owners that contributed to the Confederate government during the War of Northern Aggression).

IN the case that these events never happen, the states should apologize for slavery as soon as AFRICA stops the practice.

[Shellie]

Ummm, are any slaves still living?

[justsam]

I don't guess it's ever a bad idea to apologize for wrongdoing.

God Bless You- Sam Smith

[ImaPK]

I was born roughly 92 years after the Emancipation Proclaimation. I ain't never owned no slaves so I don't owe anyone an apology. Now an apology to the Native Americans I could see.

[Mole_J]

Amnesty and Pardon from Walter E. Williams

[Pastor Don]

There are few subjects that I feel passionate about outside of proclaiming the Gospel; however, this is one of them.

I somewhat feel like ImaPK in that I have not ever owned a slave and for me to personally make an apology would be futile. On the other hand, there were many states that did support and fight to support slavery. IMHO the states should, if they have not publicly denounced slavery, pass a resolution that would recognize the wrong that was done. That though should be the end of the matter.

We can never change what was done. It was wrong, but there are many things that were done wrong in our country's past. As was already mentioned, the Native American was treated pretty much as bad if not worse in that we stole their lands, murdered their family's, and then isolated them on land that until the last few decades was pretty much worthless.

Women we treated pretty nasty too until laws were passed to rectify it.

Which brings me to my reason for the OTHER vote. Yes, pass a resolution that states it was wrong and make an apology for supporting such dehumanizing actions that the individual states did support. But then as the Gentleman from Virginia stated, it is time that we ALL get over it. It is done, it is in the history books, and those who were affected by it are gone. There is not a person alive today that is being affected by the role slavery played here in the U.S.

It is time that all of us, white and black move on. For in Christ Jesus there is neither Jew, nor Greek... If written today on American soil that could just as easily be written as In Christ Jesus there is neither white, nor black. Bottom line, In Christ there is NO distinction in a man's race. But every man will be held accountable for how he treats his fellow man.

Well, I guess I should jump off the soap box now. Thanks for letting me rant a little.

God bless...

[Dr. Ron]

I am so sick of this issue. It is a blatant attempt to keep racism alive by the very people who decry it.

Get over yourself and go on.

I think this is the same as some of the preachers who trotted out some black preacher and washed his feet on the platform during a sermon. These guys obviously never traveled much or ministered outside the white race. It was a horrible act of patronization.

Not only have I never owned a slave, I have also ministered to as many blacks as I have whites over the years and have make no distinction in the nationalities. To make a distinction is to be biggoted.

NO ......do not apologize. Let every one get on with their lives and I agree with Gerald completely on this issue. And yes, there is more slavery now than ever in history.......just not in this country. Africa is still rife with it!

[Mike Vande]

Yes, they should, to their slaves. But since the slaves they should apologize to are all dead, an apology wouldn't change a thing that matters.

Ah yes, the New South, a prime example of liberal style over substance...

[MacUser]

I am so sick of this issue. It is a blatant attempt to keep racism alive by the very people who decry it.

Ding, Ding, Ding, Winning Answer.

Watch how this will reach a fever pitch by 2008 Election time...
Refuse to be manipulated.

[Jennifer Smith]

Ditto to Pastor Don. It is good to renounce a past wrong and repent of it, even try to make amends. Then all parties should move on! I don't know if an apology has ever been made. In the sight of God and for the healing of those affected by slavery, (descendants have been affected,) it wouldn't hurt for those states involved with slavery to do so.

[Dr. Ron]

Jennifer,
An official apology was included in the emancipation proclaimation many years ago. The very fact that Abe Lincoln did what he did was an apology.

Those who owned slaves (black and white alike) are long since dead as are the slaves. What ever was done was done. Apologies won't solve one problem with the racism issue. Even the idea of reparation won't help anything. We just move on!

Two of the wealthiest people in the US are black. Most of sports now is wealthy black people. I think it is fine. Many of the most wealthy entertainers are black.

Racism only exists in the minds of those who choose to keep it as part of their lives.

[Momma_moo]

No I don't think states should apologize. It happened a long time ago. I wasn't even born when there was slaves and neither was anyone else that is alive today.

[Jennifer Smith]

Jennifer,
An official apology was included in the emancipation proclaimation many years ago. The very fact that Abe Lincoln did what he did was an apology.

I don't believe that the southern states had anything to do with the emancipation proclamation. I realize we are talking about sins of the fathers here. But it is biblical to repent for the sins of those preceding us. Representing the state itself an apology could be made, officially setting a new direction.

Racism only exists in the minds of those who choose to keep it as part of their lives.

Some of my black friends would disagree with you! I've also witnessed what they deal with so I would also have to disagree.

[Dr. Ron]

Jennifer,
I am quite certain that some of your black friends would disagree with me. That is my point exactly. I have lived and worked among blacks before the civil rights era. I know exactly what they once endured and what the reality is now. I can tell you that with a few exceptions , it is in no way close to what it was before 1963.......and remember I lived this history. I actually pastored a black church when I was 16 in Nashville before civil rights. I know very well what went on and what it is like today.

Is there discrimination?????Boy you better believe it! But it is basically in reverse. My wife works for the state and you don't want to get her started on that one.

My youngest son was the least prejudiced kid in the world until he was beaten up by a gang of blacks because he was white. They didn't want a white kid to deliver pizza to them.

And the south WAS included in the emancipation proclaimation. That is what it was all about. When the confederacy died and we all came back together, we did it as one nation.

I am a southerner, but I am not now nor ever have been a racist or a biggot. My southern parents would have beaten me black and blue over that.