NJ to apologize for slavery?

speechlesstx · Jan 2, 2008, 02:53 PM

Your opinions please...

Quote:

New Jersey would become the first northern state and the fifth state overall to apologize for slavery under a bill to be considered this week.

“This is not too much to ask of the state of New Jersey,” said Assemblyman William Payne, who is sponsoring the bill. “All that is being requested of New Jersey is to say three simple words: ‘We are sorry.’”

Legislators in North Carolina, Alabama, Maryland and Virginia have issued formal slavery apologies.

“If former Confederate states can take action like this, why can’t a northeast state like New Jersey?” asked Payne, D-Essex.

But Republican legislators wonder if it would be relevant.

“Who living today is guilty of slave holding and thus capable of apologizing for the offense?” asked Assemblyman Richard Merkt, R-Morris. “And who living today is a former slave and thus capable of accepting the apology? So how is a real apology even remotely possible, much less meaningful, given the long absence of both oppressor and victim?”

Payne, D-Essex, said an apology would comfort black residents and set an example for other states.

The bill is scheduled for a Thursday hearing by the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

It has not received Senate consideration but must be adopted by Tuesday when the legislative session expires.

The North Carolina legislature acted on the slavery-apology issue last spring.

The chief sponsors of the House version, which was approved in early April, were two legislators from Winston-Salem, Democratic Reps. Larry Womble and Earline Parmon.

Several Democrats said at the time that North Carolina needs to take more concrete measures to fight racism and help minorities.

Womble and Parmon, who represent districts that cover much of Winston-Salem, have often supported legislation dealing with past injustices. For instance, they have sponsored bills that would compensate people who were sterilized under the state’s eugenics program in the 20th century.

But the bill has not advanced, and Womble has amended it to remove any specific figure for financial compensation. It would instead only study how much the benefits would cost and how they could be provided.

The status of the study was unclear because the bill authorizing it was folded into an omnibus bill that the Senate declined to take up before the legislative session ended in August.

Should states - and Congress - apologize for slavery, or is the mere act of abolishing slavery sufficient? Why or why not?

In those states that have officially apologized, has it accomplished anything?

Would such an apology "comfort black residents?" Will it/has it comforted you?

speechlesstx · Jan 3, 2008, 08:51 AM

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Originally Posted by labman

Should I helping pay reparations when my great great grandfather risked all he owned in Pennsylvania as a conductor on the underground railway? Or my great grandfather that risked his life fighting to bring Kansas into the union as a free state?

What about all the people descended from the waves of immigrants a 100 years ago?

I think you and tom hit the nail on the head. The sacrifice to end slavery goes above and beyond any apology.

speechlesstx · Jan 3, 2008, 08:56 AM

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Originally Posted by ScottGem

I don't think ANY state should apologize for slavery. Such things NEED to be looked at in the context of times. At the time, slavery was a worldwide practice. Many african slaves were sold to white slavers by other african tribes, not captured by them. There are still places were slavery is still practiced, at least in secret.

Should southern states apologize for growing tobacco? IMHO, that would be a similar deal. I can see a proclamation something to the effect of recognizing that slavery was wrong and expressing regret for promoting it. But i would stop short of an actual apology.

I agree Scott, and if the states keep apologizing for slavery I think Nevada should have to apologize for Harry Reid

speechlesstx · Jan 3, 2008, 08:59 AM

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Originally Posted by RubyPitbull

My ancestors were immigrants to this country and showed up here soon after slavery was abolished. They were fleeing pogroms and many of their relatives didn't make it out alive. I am not looking for an apology for the uprooting and murdering of my extended family. There just isn't any "comfort" in empty words. I am very thankful they chose this country to start anew, even though they were met with hostility, prejudice, and given limited choices from the people born here. I think an apology to anyone who is a 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th,... generation descendant of atrocities from so long ago is meaningless and a waste of time. I question the reasoning behind all this. Is the angle to gain enough apologies in another attempt to sue the government for reparations? Personally, I don't want my hard earned money given to someone who has had very much the same obstacles and opportunities that I have had.

Thanks Ruby. I have to think if anyone's "comfort" is dependent on this apology - or reparations - they have bigger issues to deal with.

RubyPitbull · Jan 3, 2008, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speechlesstx

I agree Scott, and if the states keep apologizing for slavery I think Nevada should have to apologize for Harry Reid

LOL!