The U.S. Congress is saying sorry for slavery.
The Senate voted unanimously Thursday for a resolution acknowledging “the fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality and inhumanity of slavery and Jim Crow laws,” which authorized the segregation that followed the Civil War.
If the House passes a similar measure next week, as expected, it would mark the highest official mea culpa for the hundreds of years of discrimination that had been enshrined by the Constitution and courts.
“Slavery and Jim Crow, and their continuing consequences, are not the historical baggage of one state, one region or one company,” said Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), the resolution’s sponsor. “They are an enduring national shame.”
Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush had both expressed remorse for slavery. And Congress has recognized other injustices, such as the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.
“No one pretends that a mere apology – or any words – can right the wrongs of the past,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. “But it represents our recognition of that past and our commitment to more fully live up to our nation’s promise.”
The measure does have one caveat. It says it doesn’t imply support for paying reparations.
Source: nydailynews.com
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I believe this is the first step in the right direction but I still believe words without action have no merit.
Hmmmm. This entire exercise has become redundant. The apologies, for me, do not open up any more opportunities for African American people. That will require massive education on acceptance and truth in all aspects of life. I really would appreciate it if AA people focused on preparing ourselves to compete in all arenas of life in this country. This could begin by encouraging education, entrepreneurship, self-respect and a rebuilding of community.
This is the first article I’ve read on such a move by the U.S. Congress. So the U.S. government is finally putting something in writing. Of course it is merely a gesture and we know iit really does not mean a thing without reparations. This is still very much the racist country that it ever was if you ask me. Dreams and hopes for a successful life continue to be squashed more for AA people than any other race of people. I wish Obama had named another AA for the Supreme Court! He’s so slick isn’t he? Nominating a Hispanic is just going to encourage more illegal aliens to come here thinking they too can get ahead. AA people are still slaves. AA women especiallly. We simply don’t have the income to eat out in fancy restaurants or pay someone to clean our homes. So we are really enslaved in our homes, in the kitchen, with cleaning our homes, the laundry and all those mediocre low wage-paying jobs that we are given, if at all. Don’t expect to get ahead, unless you carry a gun. This measure by the U.S. Congress means nothing to me or to my slave ancestors who I’m sure never enjoyed any luxuries of living in their lives in this country. They never had any money to speak of, nor a microwave oven; and had to use the toilet outdoors in an outhouse some of the time; not to mention nio college education. The U.S. Congress is merely pushing paper on this . The apology is not enough as far as I’m concerned. huh.
Duh, I really understand the underlying frustration of your post. I do. I’m reminded, however, of my parents who surely told my siblings and me about their lives and some of what they told us was heart breaking; however, they taught us to move ahead of obstacles that are placed before us. I know you’ve heard the old saying, “Take the lemons and make lemonade.” Well, it’s way past time for more AA folks to do just that. We are a creative and daring people and nothing is beyond us – nothing.
The time has passed when we need to constantly look for other people to change. We must teach each other, support each other, praise each other’s achievements and lift up those who want a life that is challenging as well as productive.
We have a lot of work to do that only AA people can do. Thanks for the chance to talk with you.