Should we apologize for slavery?

[Atheus]

This year is the 200th aniversary of the abolition of slavery in Britain, and I believe the Americans followed suit the next year. It was was a huge step forward in our societies and should be celebrated as such.

There is a lot of stuff in the news at the moment about slavery, it is mentioned on most of the political TV shows, and there was a even a demonstration the other day complete with white people in chains and rags. What's it all about? Well it seems many people (black and white alike) are calling for an apology by white British and American people for the slave trade...

This annoys me greatly.

I certainly have had nothing to do with slavery and I am certainly not a racist - to imply that people are racist purely because they are white is racism in itself. How am I personally responsible? 200 years ago my family were poor farmers, and would likely have never seen a black person, let alone been involved in their slavery. How are even they responsible? It was only 60 years ago members of British and American families (black and white and every other color) were being killed by the Germans. Do we go round hating the Germans? No! It's all over now and has been for a long long time. Same with slavery.

 

[JD50]

No, its a ridiculous concept.

 

[theeedude]

We should not apologize because we didn't own slaves, however the government as an institution should apologize for its support of slavery in the old days.
Also, slavery hasn't been abolished in the US 200 years ago.
JD50, Loving your new sig, but you misspelled senseamp.

 

[engineereeyore]

My family wasn't even in America 200 years ago. I hear you. I'm sick of it too. I like what Morgan Freeman said. ?How are we going to get rid of racism? Stop talking about it!?

It sucked and it was horrible, but let it go. Plus, I don't mean to be rude about it, but many of the people brought here were slaves already. Not that that is an excuse, but it's not like we ripped free people away and turned them into slaves. They were already slaves, conquered people from civil wars in Africa.

 

[JD50]

Originally posted by: senseamp
We should not apologize because we didn't own slaves, however the government as an institution should apologize for its support of slavery in the old days.
Also, slavery hasn't been abolished in the US 200 years ago.
JD50, Loving your new sig, but you misspelled senseamp.

Thanks, I'll fix that right away, I wouldn't want anyone confused as to what you really think of people that support the Bill of Rights.

 

[magomago]

I agree with senseamp - I didn't even come to this continent till 20 years ago, the hell do I have to do it? But the government as an institution, which DID exist back then - should issue a formal apology if it hasn't. Better later than never, especially in cases like Galileo.

 

[Atheus]

Originally posted by: senseamp
Also, slavery hasn't been abolished in the US 200 years ago.

Sorry - thought it was 1808.

When was it? I'll fix the OP.

 

[Jaskalas]

No one today owned a slave or was a slave. We should be past this.

Originally posted by: Atheus

Originally posted by: senseamp
Also, slavery hasn't been abolished in the US 200 years ago.

Sorry - thought it was 1808.

When was it? I'll fix the OP.

I recommend learning history. Start with this google on the subject.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=United+States+Civil+War&btnG=Google+Search

 

[CanOWorms]

It annoys me when the British claim that slavery ended with their legislation abandoning the Atlantic slave trade. The British Empire enslaved hundreds of millions of people throughout the world with colonialism. It was another form of slavery, one that was more economically viable for the British.

 

[conehead433]

Subject for another topic - Should we apologize to the native American Indian tribes for virtually wiping them off the face of the earth and driving them off the fertile lands they inhabited and making them live in the fvcking desert? Yea, I kinda think so.

 

[imported_Shivetya]

No.

Whats next? Apologize for the revolution?


Its the standard attempt to guilt people. I figure it will eventually be followed by yet another call for money.

 

[Atheus]

Originally posted by: CanOWorms
It annoys me when the British claim that slavery ended with their legislation abandoning the Atlantic slave trade. The British Empire enslaved hundreds of millions of people throughout the world with colonialism. It was another form of slavery, one that was more economically viable for the British.

Yes, well, I'm talking about African slavery here not colonialism, of which by the way, you are a product; your ancestors would have supported the colonization of America because they profited greatly from it. Assuming your family is American for the long haul... that's a whole different 'can o worms'.

In fact your point supports mine - I know lots of people of Indian/Pakistani descent who hold no grudge against me for the British Raj, and yet black people are perfectly happy to blame me for slavery. Why?

 

[beyoku]

Nobody "Blames" anyone for anything. The people that owned slaves are no longer alive. But the Govt. that permitted the crime against humantiy is still here. Also there were laws passed that made it hell for Black people in the US All the way up to maybe only 30 years ago. Not talking about racism will not make it "Go Away" Racism is like a cancer that needs to be taken out. You cannot kill cancer if you never talk about or diagnose the problem. THe United States Current problem with racism is worse than that of South Africa, and they just ended apartheid in 1994! THat is because there was "Truth and Reconciliation" THey actually talked about what happened, who did what and who killed who. Also there were many apologies and admittance of wrong-doing....Now both sides are just "Glad its over.........I have spoken to whites AND blacks and neither side is apparently bitter." This did not happen in the US, they figured they could just send them back to Africa or try to erase the stain from history....Then there came the creation of armed terrorists (KKK, 4-5 MILLION membership in 1920's...peaking over 10 million) that included members of the Govt. You people are crazy if you dont think their should be an apology. SInce the time of slavery's end black people have had a Figurative WAR with the US Govt just to get EQUAL rights and citizens. IT was called the "Civil Rights Movement." I benifited not only blacks but also women.
The US should make apologies to MANY people around the globe and currently in the US. The us has a history of bad shiit in its colonial past. Genocide of the Natives and Institutionalized slavery and later racism are the BIG TWO. An apology is only an admittance of wrongdoing. Of course its always a vocal few that dont think slavery was wrong.
On another note. Anyone that thinks "Slavery" in the US and "Slavery" in Africa are the same then you are truly an un-educated fool and shouldnt even comment. Go back and read Slavery 101 then comment. I dont know what an apology would do at this point but it would not make the U.S. worse, only better.
Apologizing for the bad stuff you did on your past is a noble thing to do.

Did this make Clinton or the U.S. seem bad by apologizing?
PRESIDENT CLINTON: The United States Government did something that was wrong, deeply, profoundly, morally wrong. It was an outrage to our commitment to integrity and equality for all our citizens. We can end the silence. We can stop turning our heads away. We can look at you in the eye and finally say on behalf of the American people what the United States Government did was shameful, and I am sorry. (Applause)-------(40 Year experiment with Syphilis on black people)

 

[1EZduzit]

My Great-Grandfather fought in the civil war, should somebody thank me for that? I don't think I'll hold my breath waiting to see.

A "Thank You" is not required or expected and likewise no apology should be required or expected. Of course were sorry it happened, but we had nothing to do with it. There is probably a some "old money" still around that might owe some people an apology of sorts, but good luck getting it.

 

[hellokeith]

No government should apologize for slavery. That is the exact "gotcha" which extreme black political leaders are seeking. Government apologizes for slavery = goverment is to blame = government should pay money to xxxx group = a special interest tax. No thanks.

"Slavery was a very regrettable occurrance." That is the most any official should ever say.

 

[Atheus]

Originally posted by: Jaskalas

Originally posted by: Atheus

Originally posted by: senseamp
Also, slavery hasn't been abolished in the US 200 years ago.

Sorry - thought it was 1808.

When was it? I'll fix the OP.

I recommend learning history. Start with this google on the subject.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=United+States+Civil+War&btnG=Google+Search

I recommend you practice what you preach. After further research I find that the trading of slaves was indeed officially abolished in the United States in 1808.

 

[piasabird]

I never met a slave. I guess I can celebrate that.

 

[beyoku]

Originally posted by: hellokeith
No government should apologize for slavery. That is the exact "gotcha" which extreme black political leaders are seeking. Government apologizes for slavery = goverment is to blame = government should pay money to xxxx group = a special interest tax. No thanks.

"Slavery was a very regrettable occurrance." That is the most any official should ever say.

How many extreme black political leaders are there.........2? Im pretty sure you can count them on one hand.

 

[Corbett]

I will appologize to SLAVES for slavery. Not their great grand kids.

 

[Harvey]

We already made the most important apology possible. It's called, The Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

Section 2. Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

As a matter of a social gesture, an explicit public declaration of apology for the social embarrassment of ever having allowed it wouldn't be a bad idea. I don't think it should lead to any kind of "reparations" or other payments. There's just too much of a disconnect between those who were slaves and those who owned them, at that time, and those of us living here, now to be able to qualify who should pay and who should receive such payments, including far too many people of all races whose ancestors were not even here when slavery existed.

 

[beyoku]

Originally posted by: Harvey
We already made the most important apology possible. It's called, The Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

Section 2. Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

As a matter of a social gesture, an explicit public declaration of apology for the social embarrassment of ever having allowed it wouldn't be a bad idea. I don't think it should lead to any kind of "reparations" or other payments. There's just too much of a disconnect between those who were slaves and those who owned them, at that time, and those of us living here, now to be able to qualify who should pay and who should receive such payments, including far too many people of all races whose ancestors were not even here when slavery existed.

:thumbsup:
Exactly, its not a BAD idea. I dont see anything negative about an apology.

 

[blackllotus]

I think its silly that people still want the government to apologize for slavery however I think its even sillier to resist it. Passing a resolution that apologizes for slavery is harmless and would put an end to this issue.

 

[imported_Tango]

Originally posted by: hellokeith
No government should apologize for slavery. That is the exact "gotcha" which extreme black political leaders are seeking. Government apologizes for slavery = goverment is to blame = government should pay money to xxxx group = a special interest tax. No thanks.

"Slavery was a very regrettable occurrance." That is the most any official should ever say.

Well, maybe not for slavery, but what about segregation until the '60s? Anti-miscegenation laws. Slave trading might be an old story, but racial segregation ended in 1969. I think black people deserve the government to apologize for this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:ColoredDrinking.jpg

and this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-miscegenation_laws

and this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baseball_color_line

and this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Crow_laws

and this (up to 1975):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mortgage_Discrimination

and this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Educ...ation_in_the_US_prior_to_Brown_Map.PNG

Or is this stuff still too old? It's less than 40 years ago...

 

[ProfJohn]

How about this? we offer an apology and then as reparations we offer anyone who asks for it a free one way ticket to the African nation of their choice.
?We?re sorry that your ancestors were taken out of Africa against their will, therefore we would like to offer you a chance to return to the country of your ancestry.?

Some how I feel that not a lot of people will take us up on that offer.

 

[imported_Tango]

Originally posted by: ProfJohn
How about this? we offer an apology and then as reparations we offer anyone who asks for it a free one way ticket to the African nation of their choice.
?We?re sorry that your ancestors were taken out of Africa against their will, therefore we would like to offer you a chance to return to the country of your ancestry.?

Some how I feel that not a lot of people will take us up on that offer.

They somewhat already did it with Liberia.