The House of Representatives today formally apologized to African-Americans “on behalf of the people of the United States, for the wrongs committed against them and their ancestors who suffered under slavery and Jim Crow.” (link) The resolutions says that Africans forced into slavery "were brutalized, humiliated, dehumanized and subjected to the indignity of being stripped of their names and heritage" and that black Americans today continue to suffer from the consequences of slavery and Jim Crow laws that fostered discrimination and segregation.
If I were in the Congress, I would have went along with this resolution and mumbled an "aye", not that I think it does any good or really means much but it does no harm. The vote was by voice vote so no one in the Congress can be disproved it they say they voted for it or against it or say they simply didn’t vote. Congress is routinely passing resolution that commemorate this or that or recognize people for their accomplishments, or express a sentiment of the House on some topic, so one more resolution expressing the will of the House of Representatives will do no harm.
What does it really mean? It is an apology to “African-Americans” “on behalf of the people of the United States.” Well, African Americans are some of the “people of the United States” so African-Americans who are the descendants of slaves are included in the apology to African Americans. How logical is that?
What if you are the descendant of immigrants who were not even here during the era of slavery? What if your ancestors never owned slaves and maybe were abolitionist, or died fighting against slavery, or marched for civil rights? It doesn’t matter; Congress just apologized for slavery on your behalf.
I would like to have seen the bill expanded to include an apology for other sins against African-Americans. The Congress should have apologized for the “fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality and inhumanity of slavery, and Jim Crow, and the welfare enslavement, dependency and destruction of the Black community caused by the Great Society and other welfare enactments.” I could have enthusiastically supported such a resolution.
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"The House of Representatives today formally apologized to African-Americans" - I see the term "African-American" describing someone born in Africa, came to the United States, and the became a citizen. Many of the so-called "African-Americans" of today are not that at all. They were born in America, raised in American, was given education in America, has a job in America, and have always been citizens of the United States since they were born. If that is the case, wouldn't these people want to consider themselves "American" - that would seem to stop all the race-factor for saying such words as "black", "brown", etc. out of the picture, as we would all be Americans, and to be racist to one would mean one would be racist to all Americans (if that makes sense).
ReplyDelete"The resolutions says that Africans forced into slavery "were brutalized, humiliated, dehumanized and subjected to the indignity of being stripped of their names and heritage" and that black Americans today continue to suffer from the consequences of slavery and Jim Crow laws that fostered discrimination and segregation." - One could see it as this way too. Some of the time the Africans that were put into slavery were put into it by enemy tribes; they were prisoners of war in a sense, and were traded away for weapons - even some of their own tribesmen traded their own brothers and sisters just to get some weapons. So, I say we should put the blame of those African tribes. True, some were captured by "white" men and forced to come over here, but many were sold by Africans to the "white" men for supplies, such as weapons, to keep on fighting.
Not only that, Africa was a majority third world country. The slaves were brought to the promising Americas to work - forcefully, sure, but work they did. What did they get in return for their work? A roof over their head, food, clothes, etc. True, these items were not the sames as those of their owners, but they got them. Basically, think of it as today's welfare programs: many are used majority by "black" Americans, most of which probably can trace their heritage to former slaves. These people can get housing, food, and clothes rather cheaply, even free! and then get paid because they can't find a job. At least when there were slaves there was work being done.
And before I get all bashed (maybe, possibly), think of this. Today, there are many illegal immigrants, mainly from Mexico. These Mexicans came over to our country to find jobs, so they can provide for their families and to get food and shelter. Many companies hire these Mexicans, as they are illegal, this they technically don't fall under the minimum wage laws, overtime, how long they have to work, unions, etc. Technically aren't these people "slaves". They are paid less than a regular American would, they aren't even citizens so technically they should be given government housing, free food, etc. They work long hours, hard work, little pay. Sounds familiar?
Stop apologizing for the past, it's over. All those who were told "sorry" by this are dead anyways. Plus, didn't we already tell them sorry anyways?