House of Representatives (finally) apologizes for slavery and Jim Crow

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WASHINGTON - The House on Tuesday issued an unprecedented apology to black Americans for the wrongs committed against them and their ancestors who suffered under slavery and Jim Crow segregation laws.

...

The resolution, passed by voice vote, was the work of Tennessee Democrat Steve Cohen.

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The Cohen resolution does not mention reparations. It does commit the House to rectifying "the lingering consequences of the misdeeds committed against African-Americans under slavery and Jim Crow."

It 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.

The House "apologizes 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."

"Slavery and Jim Crow are stains upon what is the greatest nation on the face of the earth," Cohen said. Part of forming a more perfect union, he said, "is such a resolution as we have before us today where we face up to our mistakes and apologize as anyone should apologize for things that were done in the past that were wrong."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25921453

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RESOLUTION

Apologizing for the enslavement and racial segregation of African-Americans.

Whereas millions of Africans and their descendants were enslaved in the United States and the 13 American colonies from 1619 through 1865;

Whereas slavery in America resembled no other form of involuntary servitude known in history, as Africans were captured and sold at auction like inanimate objects or animals;

Whereas Africans forced into slavery were brutalized, humiliated, dehumanized, and subjected to the indignity of being stripped of their names and heritage;

Whereas enslaved families were torn apart after having been sold separately from one another;

Whereas the system of slavery and the visceral racism against persons of African descent upon which it depended became entrenched in the Nation's social fabric;

Whereas slavery was not officially abolished until the passage of the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1865 after the end of the Civil War, which was fought over the slavery issue;

Whereas after emancipation from 246 years of slavery, African-Americans soon saw the fleeting political, social, and economic gains they made during Reconstruction eviscerated by virulent racism, lynchings, disenfranchisement, Black Codes, and racial segregation laws that imposed a rigid system of officially sanctioned racial segregation in virtually all areas of life;

Whereas the system of de jure racial segregation known as `Jim Crow,' which arose in certain parts of the Nation following the Civil War to create separate and unequal societies for whites and African-Americans, was a direct result of the racism against persons of African descent engendered by slavery;

Whereas the system of Jim Crow laws officially existed into the 1960's--a century after the official end of slavery in America--until Congress took action to end it, but the vestiges of Jim Crow continue to this day;

Whereas African-Americans continue to suffer from the consequences of slavery and Jim Crow--long after both systems were formally abolished--through enormous damage and loss, both tangible and intangible, including the loss of human dignity and liberty, the frustration of careers and professional lives, and the long-term loss of income and opportunity;

Whereas the story of the enslavement and de jure segregation of African-Americans and the dehumanizing atrocities committed against them should not be purged from or minimized in the telling of American history;

Whereas on July 8, 2003, during a trip to Goree Island, Senegal, a former slave port, President George W. Bush acknowledged slavery's continuing legacy in American life and the need to confront that legacy when he stated that slavery `was . . . one of the greatest crimes of history . . . The racial bigotry fed by slavery did not end with slavery or with segregation. And many of the issues that still trouble America have roots in the bitter experience of other times. But however long the journey, our destiny is set: liberty and justice for all.';

Whereas President Bill Clinton also acknowledged the deep-seated problems caused by the continuing legacy of racism against African-Americans that began with slavery when he initiated a national dialogue about race;

Whereas a genuine apology is an important and necessary first step in the process of racial reconciliation;

Whereas an apology for centuries of brutal dehumanization and injustices cannot erase the past, but confession of the wrongs committed can speed racial healing and reconciliation and help Americans confront the ghosts of their past;

Whereas the legislature of the Commonwealth of Virginia has recently taken the lead in adopting a resolution officially expressing appropriate remorse for slavery and other State legislatures are considering similar resolutions; and

Whereas it is important for this country, which legally recognized slavery through its Constitution and its laws, to make a formal apology for slavery and for its successor, Jim Crow, so that it can move forward and seek reconciliation, justice, and harmony for all of its citizens: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

(1) acknowledges the fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality, and inhumanity of slavery and Jim Crow;

(2) apologizes 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; and

(3) expresses its commitment to rectify the lingering consequences of the misdeeds committed against African-Americans under slavery and Jim Crow and to stop the occurrence of human rights violations in the future.

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=hr110-194

[Ban Hammer 14,585]

so where is the apology to first nation people?

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so where is the apology to first nation people?

Charles, please keep up

Friday, February 15, 2008

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Sam Brownback today applauded passage of an amendment to the Indian Health Care Bill offering an official apology from the United States federal government to Native Americans. Senator Brownback has been calling for an apology since 2004.

"With this apology, the federal government can repair and improve our relationship with Native Americans," said Brownback. "While we cannot erase the past, this amendment hopefully helps heal the wounds that have divided America for too long."

http://brownback.senate.gov/pressapp/record.cfm?id=293090

[Heracles 417]

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Again?

This is the first time an apology has been issued for slavery by the House of Representatives.

[Simply_Uno 1]

priceless

[Heracles 417]

Again?

This is the first time an apology has been issued for slavery by the House of Representatives.

Of course again. The same #### over and over and over and over again. I don't think one month has gone by since I have moved here where race is not an issue somewhere.

Okay, apologize and move on. Will it happen? heck no..

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Again?

This is the first time an apology has been issued for slavery by the House of Representatives.

Of course again. The same #### over and over and over and over again. I don't think one month has gone by since I have moved here where race is not an issue somewhere.

Okay, apologize and move on. Will it happen? heck no..

Well race is an issue. Whether you choose to admit it or not.

[Ken y Leidys 20]

Appology accepted. My mother lived the hell of Jim Crow, but thanks to the Civil Rights Act (of 1964) and subsequent recognition of my racial group under the US Constitution, I have it better here in the United States than I would in most places in the world.

This is something you should be proud of for your country, not indifferent or uncomfortable with. This is showing the world that the United States is constantly evolving and embracing freedom for all people. Not a bad thing if you ask me.

[Ggreen 12]

Again?

This is the first time an apology has been issued for slavery by the House of Representatives.

That is a good move toward the race issue, IMO racism is a product of ignorance.

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

I hope this makes headlines everywhere.

Do you think this in preperation for a black president?

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This is something you should be proud of for your country, not indifferent or uncomfortable with. This is showing the world that the United States is constantly evolving and embracing freedom for all people. Not a bad thing if you ask me.

[DeadPoolX 9]

I think what Aficionado was getting at is that race is only an issue because we make it one. No one can deny that certain races had it tough years ago, but today it's an entirely different situation. Economics play a far greater role in a person's life than race. There are, after all, plenty of poor and underprivileged white people in the United States too.

I suppose what confuses me is why certain racial groups continue to make such noise about this. Slavery ended over 200 years ago and as far as I can tell, the Civil Rights Movement was about "equality." So if African Americans (as an example) wish to be truly equal, why play the race card and attempt to stand out? Isn't that what the Civil Rights Movement sought to end: the idea that some are "equal, but different" in this country?

I fail to see how demanding the government bend to one group's will won't solve this. In fact, it may do the opposite as it'll breed resentment among other groups. If African Americans (again, as an example) wish to take charge, then the best way to do this is through achieving success and "defeating their oppressors at their own game." Make those who looked down at you work for you. To someone who considers minorities inferior, nothing would be more horrifying or demeaning than making them the "wage slave" and the minority the boss. However, this must be done through education, hard work, and the drive to meet one's goals. This way, no one can sit back and say, "He (or she) didn't deserve that since the government handed it him (or her)."

[Jenn! 918]

Appology accepted. My mother lived the hell of Jim Crow, but thanks to the Civil Rights Act (of 1964) and subsequent recognition of my racial group under the US Constitution, I have it better here in the United States than I would in most places in the world.

This is something you should be proud of for your country, not indifferent or uncomfortable with. This is showing the world that the United States is constantly evolving and embracing freedom for all people. Not a bad thing if you ask me.