The pink shading represents areas where slaves made up more than 30% of the population in 1860.RICHMOND, Va. - Meeting on the grounds of the former Confederate Capitol, the Virginia General Assembly voted unanimously Saturday to express "profound regret" for the state's role in slavery. 
That's great. A 150-year old apology. I guess that means that in the year 2157, the Texas legislature will gather and pass a resolution apologizing to the United States for George W. Bush.
Sweet.
Sponsors of the resolution say they know of no other state that has apologized for slavery.
Umm ... there's a reason for that.
The measure also expressed regret for "the exploitation of Native Americans."
OK - well now, we're talking! But, you have to wonder if we have done enough for them since we took their land and killed most of them in the process. I guess all that coinage with their images on it, the sports teams gleefully named after them or the cool tracts of land we gave them in the desert southwest aren't enough. No, maybe not.
An apology to either of these groups may be well intentioned, but it strikes me as a waste of time and effort. Any progressively-thinking person regrets the way our country treated both of those peoples, but apologizing now isn't going to do either of them any good. People are generally locked into one thought or another about the races, and an apology may not be enough to sway them to start thinking right.
Haters will always hate.
The United Nations was asked to apologize, the University of Alabama has apologized. The Pope, Southern Baptists and Methodists have apologized, too. But those people are so guilt-ridden that they would probably apologize for an earthquake.
I kept asking myself, "Why are these apologies necessary?" It is unlike government to go out of their way to address a topic that is not pressing for an immediate resolution. Nobody ever willingly pasted a DO NOT SPIT IN THE WATER FOUNTAIN sign without first seeing someone spit in the water fountain. Governmental agencies are not creatures prone to proactive motions.
And now, the Sparkling Conclusion:
Generally, my answer to any question is either money or television. Upon finding an article about the apology for slavery by the U.N., I may have to add a third alternative, which is becoming increasingly prevalent in society.
Lawsuits. They are apologizing because they do not want to be sued.
Well ... as long as their motives are genuine.
6 comments:
If an apology is heartfelt, I'm all for it. It may be too little and too late, but at least it's something. If it's an empty gesture for publicity, then that's a whole different animal. I can certainly see your point(s) in this post.
I feel terrible for being part of a race that engaged in massive genocide (native americans) and slavery even though I personally had nothing to do with it. I would apologize on behalf of my ancestors (and mean it) if I knew of specific instances of their involvement and could direct the apology to the correct peoples.
I think we all owe the world a giant apology for allowing Bu$hCo to continue to terrorize the world. I am still waiting for apologies from every single person that voted for that mad man. Glad I'm not holding my breathe.
i think the apology is a farce too. sadly enough, i don't even buy that they mean it. actions speak louder than do words - 40 acres and a mule, anyone?
40 Acres and a Mule? Reminds me of a song:
Say you try
But you just can't help yourself
Wanna feel special
Man wanna make you feel like everybody else.
Take away your freedom
Strip away your pride.
Say you know you weren't born
With the blue blood son,
So take your place in line.
I say trust me
But you say it's too much bother.
Yeah, the way the man try to beat you down,
Make you wanna kill your brother.
So, go on and bust me
For what's in my mason jar.
Yeah, I owes my soul
To the company store.
How I'm doing so far?
Where's my mule?
Where's my forty acres?
Where's my dream?
Mr Emancipator.
Live this way,
Might as well meet my maker.
Where's my mule?
Where's my mule?
I'm with you that I think it's all to avoid lawsuits. I think that even if it were heart felt it would be seen as like Pam said too little too late.
the 40 acres and a mule, or the modern equivalent is truly a scary thought to the states and apologies make sense
actually, i don't think an apology means squat unless there is an action behind it. granted it may be too little too late, but if said action can make a positive change, then it may not be too late.
what have we given the "native americans"? i hate political correctness......anyway, we gave them booze, drugs and the idea of building casinos for gambling. we give them free scholarships (i think even up to 1/8 or maybe 1/16 native blood). yet the government (and even regular 'mericans) still treats them horribly, always using the past as a crutch or an excuse. then again we are allowing our soldiers to go homeless.....bah!
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