When is an apology for slavery too late?

The House of Representatives, with a minimum of fanfare and no pomp, passed a resolution Tuesday apologizing to black Americans for the "fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality and inhumanity of slavery and Jim Crow" segregation.

The resolution did not even draw a roll-call vote but squeezed through by a voice vote on what is called "the suspension calendar," a device to speed along noncontroversial legislation to which neither party objects.

It was sponsored by a white Democrat from Tennessee, Rep. Steve Cohen, who faces a primary Aug. 7 in his heavily black district against a black challenger, airline lawyer Nikki Tyler.

Slavery was abolished for part of the United States in 1863 by Abraham Lincoln's proclamation, and that was reinforced by federal laws, and remnants of slavery were dealt with by amendments to the federal Constitution through the mid-1960s.

At the time of the country's founding, slavery was found in every former colony and region, not only in the South but in New York City, where slave ships were fitted out, and in Providence and Newport, R.I., where slave pens were maintained.

The bill was sponsored by 42 members of the Congressional Black Caucus, but only handful of the members have endorsed Cohen's reelection. The Senate has yet to act on a similar proposal by Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa.

In Chicago on Tuesday, Sen. Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic candidate for president, stopped short of endorsing an official apology to American Indians, but urged the nation to acknowledge its treatment of certain racial groups.

Speaking to a convention of minority journalism associations, Obama said, "there's no doubt that when it comes to our treatment of Native Americans as well as other persons of color in this country, we've got some very sad and difficult things to account for.

"I personally would want to see our tragic history, or the tragic elements of our history acknowledged," Obama said. "I consistently believe that when it comes to whether it's Native Americans or African American issues or reparations, the most important thing for the U.S. government to do is not just offer words, but deeds."

--- Douglas Turner

Comments

[Samuel A. Herbert]

As a blackman born in America and one who know the history of whites in this country,an apology are but words,action speak louder then words, it is about Repartions from our goverment of the USA.To each Blackman his woman and their children.We as a race must never,never forget and be slow to forgive.A blackman in America without a high school education,a vocational skill,or a college education is a (DEADMAN)walking.Pay those blackman and woman who want a educaion for themself. Then talk to me about an apology.

[je]

I thought every america could get a free education, free school lunches, free housing, medicaid, food stamps, etc...
Guess who is paying for it, yep you guessed it me the tax paying white guy. Guess what too, I, nor anyone in my family or friends ever owned a slave or condoned it. I came from a middle class home and worked my way to school. The opportunity is their for anyone who wants it, black, white, red or whatever. Heck in new york just move here and we'll pay for it. This is simply a joke that in a recesssion congress is wasting their time with this. There are plenty of minority success stories. They need to put down their guns and pick up a book, get off their porches and get to work. Sooner or later they need to learn it takes a few generations of hard work before a race as a whole can get out of the dumps. Instead they want to keep blaming the white guy. Slavery was abolished in 1863 so don't tell me itis the heart and sould of the black man's problems. The irish, italians, and japanese all had to work their butts off for future generations. Time for this generation to sacrifice for their kids instead of teaching them to take handouts and blame others.

[MS]

I dont know why there is an apology. We still have slavery except now we outsource it to korea and china and all of the other countries who force kids to make ipods and pay them 3 cents a day. We are a capitalist country and the greed trumps everything else. Slaves were brought here for capitalist reasons. America is centuries deep in cotton money.

[Mike P.]

MS you retard. Korea is more advanced than the US. All of their auto plants for KIA and Hyundai have unionized workers that strike and act like GM workers.

Its like critcizing the US for being geographically located next to Mexico.

[carl]

Sam Herbert
Me thinks you are lily white but I will play your game. How much $$$$ to forgive whitey ? What 's fair to you ?

[MS]

Mike P. go and look in your closet and see where all of your clothes are made of and then you can see which slave country made it. My point was not a car that cost 30grand you moron its the $200 ipod that cost 30 cents to make with 3 cents going to the worker. Why do you think our labor jobs get outsourced. Its because we have high standards for our workers and other countries dont. Go to target and see where all the products are made in. NOT in USA...

[Achai Kamau]

"je": Not all white people pay taxes. Not all black people are on welfare. Your gross simplification of the issue only serves as an excuse to avoid digging to the heart of these complex problems.

To those who suffer, and to those who have suffered, the apology means nothing. I am a white man and I support reparations - investing in minority neighborhoods, schools, hospitals, and institutions that cities (like Buffalo) abandoned.

If you believe that slavery is the nation's only crime against African-Americans, then you have a lot to learn. And if you think that the enslavement of blacks in America ended in the 1860s, then you are uninformed.

Carl: It's not about money, it's about opportunity: a key resource that we have repeatedly denied to minority groups. Many blacks have been denied the freedom to go to good schools; Native Americans have been denied the freedom to preserve their people and culture; gays are denied the freedom to marry. Much of this stems from a shocking lack of empathy that pervades our culture.

MS: Thank you for that important statement. We have outsourced slavery. Many aspects of our lavish lifestyles are the result of men, women, and children working long hours in dangerous conditions for minimal pay.

[Samuel A. Herbert]

To Carl use your real name then i will shear with you what i think the price tag shoud be in regards to slavery,and who and why they should pay until then Carl have a good day.

[Art Klein]

I am shocked to read some of this drivel.

The fact is that a large number of people dealt in people as though they were property not human. These slaves were forced to support and aristocratic existence fo many years in the south.

Even the Constitution of he United States failed to recognize that we had removed humanity from a large grout of our population. Then we fought a great civil war to ensure the our original union survived.

But through all this we have failed to recognize that we did insult an entire race of people through our actions.

We should apologize. I regret Strom Thurmond is not here to hear.

[BobbyCat]

I agree with Sam Herbert - apologies are mere words and they come pretty cheap.

But if someone asks me for an apology, and I think I might owe it, I might say: "Sorry about that". If that really does it, then I guess we're good to go.

But then, as Mr. Herbert points out, a good job is like money in the bank, and more.

Too late for reparations but the time is right for jobs. We must stop the mass exodus.
Let's hope Obama has some innovative ideas because Grandpa seems pooped-out.

[carl]

Several have said blacks should be able to choose good schools,,,,I agree' didn't bussing try that ? Last I checked Obama is against school vouchers that could give blacks the opportunity to do exactly that. McCain is in favor of vouchers but the Dems. say no because they are beholding to the almighty Teachers Unions. The blacks want vouchers and a chance to choose where their children attend school, that's an issue to ask Obama, he says no, no, no, check it out do your homework.

[carl]

Something tells me that if Obama is elected we will hear much more about reparations. Perhaps this should become a campaign issue, put it on the front burner before the election and let the American people decide.

[BobbyCat]

Editor:

Can you do something about this blatant racist?

I suggest you check the IP address of his computer and take action. These blogs should not be a forum for hatred.

Gee, a guy who posts overt racist remarks under a new name and thinly veiled racist remarks under his regular name. I wonder who it could be????

[MS]

BobbyCat. Dont be upset. Its good to see people who are not confident in their own race and they have to try to bring others to their own level. Racism is having no confidence in your own race.

[Don H]

Monetary reparations for blacks sounds like a great idea. We should also include women, gays, Irish, Polish, Italians, Catholics, the disabled, Latinos, Indians, and every other class that has suffered discrimination and ridicule in the history of this terrible country.

[je]

Don H, can't agree more. I am Irish, and I should get an apology for how my ancestors were treated hear. Also I am offended (not really) by the Notre Dame mascot. Click on Achai Kamau name and see his agenda. Is that your real name? You claim to be white, but I have never heard a name like that.
Don't take every message that is in disagreement as racist. Maybe everyone doesn't share your views. The point is, the only way to get progress is to move forward, work hard and make sacrifices for your kids. Too many minorities, and yes there are white people too, take the handouts and don't instill hard work in their kids. Who is saying we are not investing in minorities. Free school, charter schools for those who are actually serious about their education. The opportunities and resources are there. Unfortunately when you are on the bottom you have to fight your way to the top. Taking hand outs and hoping other peoople do it for you is not the answer.

[MS]

I think reparations is just a non issue and I do not agree with it. It is another form of welfare. Heck.. we are bailing out bad corporations right now. The last thing we need is another bail out in a form of racial welfare. I do think that the real issue is that poor people of all colors do not have the same opportunity as wealthier people. I live in williamsville and pay $6500 a year in property taxes. My kid will go to a better school than most because of that. But I do think the quality of education needs to improve in poor area's with tax dollars not free money to people.

[Ron]

How long are blacks going to milk the slavery issue? Slavery was invented in Africa (not the US). Slaves were captured and sold to the traders by Africans. What I see is a group that is terrified that other groups (such as the Hispanics) are out numbering them and soon will out power them (if it hasn't happened alreay)

It's time for blacks to take charge of their own destiny and get an education, develop strong family values and teach their children the value of self discipline and hard work.

The welfare days are over...

[Achai Kamau]

BobbyCat: MS is right; the most ardent racists on these forums appear to have the least knowledge concerning the affairs debated herein. Their posts are full of malicious personal attacks, factual inaccuracies, and historical myths. It is obvious that many have never studied – or never retained the knowledge gained from studying – a single day of American history.

I can, however, sympathize. It is extremely upsetting. I have relatives who speak favorably of slavery. The things they say are the worst words I have heard in my entire life. That experience is one that drives me to continue returning to these sometimes depressing discussions.

"je": I can't be white because I have a funny name? Just like Senator Obama can't be a real Christian because he has a funny name? If you are willing to judge and discredit posters on the basis of their names (and assumed ethnicities) alone, then you shouldn't be surprised to hear accusations of bigotry.

Go to a wealthy suburb and visit inner-city neighborhoods and then illustrate how our investments have ensured that "the opportunities and resources are there" for all Americans. They are not. This circumstance does not mean that everyone who opposes progress is a racist; it may mean that there is an extraordinary amount of ignorance concerning the disadvantages faced by some groups.

I have never advocated "taking handouts and hoping other people do it for you." Repeatedly, I have called for the necessary investments in every neighborhood in order that all Americans can enjoy equal opportunity to a decent education, decent health care, and decent employment. Many people are disillusioned and apathetic because they have been systematically and institutionally denied these opportunities. Just because slavery and Jim Crow ended does not mean that all people are suddenly born on equal footing.

Ron: Interesting how you lump all African-Americans into a single group. You imply that all "milk" the slavery issue, as if it was some sort of minor inconvenience; you imply that America can be excused for slavery because it was developed elsewhere; you imply that all blacks need to develop "strong family values." Your inability to distinguish at a level finer than an entire racial or ethnic group suggests that you have paid very little attention to these critical issues. Such Manichaean thinking is what led to many of these problems in the first place.

[carl]

Again I say Sam Hebert is not who he says he is. I do agree he did bring up a good point. Let the American people decide if they think reparations should be paid, let's make this issue part of the campaign before the election. If Obama wins and the Dems. control the Senate and Congress and put several far left judges on the Supreme court we may not have a voice. I shutter to think Obama, Reid, Pelosi and Howard Dean may control our country.

[MS]

Achai, I clicked on your id which led me to your site. I am curious as to why you have invested so much in African American subjects. I am not judging you or thinking you are of one race or other since it is not important to me. Just wondering if it is something you are studying or working on something like a book or documentary.

[OP Mike]

What's up with old Bobby Cat? Regardless of the topic he or she is always wanting to know the IP addresses of some of the contributers to these forums.

In the 1950's Joe McCarthy was noted for making claims that there were large numbers of Communists and Soviet spies and sympathizers inside the federal government and elsewhere.

Bobby Cat is always looking for racists, Nazi's and republican sympathizers. It's the same kind of "McCarthyism" mind-set all over again, just a different set of targets this time.

Granted some of these posts are abhorrent and stupid (on both sides of the debates) but so what? This is the USA and people have a constitutional right to be abhorrent and stupid.

[carl]

Op mike
I agree he may be referring to me'don't know. Anybody can check my IP #s anytime they want,If he is referring to me I challenge anyone to point out anything I wrote that is even remotely racist.
Bobbycat is a hit and run blogger when you call him out with facts he runs for the hills. I agree his thinly veiled racist line is getting old and tired. He wrote many bloggs calling the Bush FISA bill and the stimulus package as the policies of a drunk but now that his guy Obama supports both of them he's as quiet as a church mouse. He's acting LUDACRIS pardon the pun.

[MS]

He was referring to the post from "Im me but who are you". But if you think he is referring to you then maybe its because you share the same views as "Im me but who are you".

[carl]

I would bet Sam Herbert and I'm me who are you are the same blogger. But unlike bobby cat I'm not going to play the blogger cop,Id rather watch paint dry.