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

[Empress of Groovy 373]

It's significant that the U.S. government is finally making a public acknowledgment. It seems that government apologies tend to come many years after the fact (as in Canada's and Australia's recent apologies to First Nations and Aborigines, respectively), but it's still important.

I'd say it's relevant that most of the eye-rolling comes from people who have little or no experience with, or a direct connection to, systematic discrimination.

[KarenCee 3]

KarenCee,

You didn't see or think about my post. Instead, I believe you jump to conclusions rather quickly. The Native Americans were over-ruled by the British Colonies. Hence, they got their land taken over by the British. I hope you have thought so. Why did you jump to conclusion quick? I thought you were above this.

YOU phrased it as "Native Americans takeover" which, to me, inferred a takeover BY the Native Americans. Sematics, my friend...semantics.

And yes CM, I am very much above this.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Karen,

If you were familiar with consolemaster's postings you'd have known he doesn't have a very strong grasp of English.

This isn't a knock on him, just an observation. He's a good guy.

[KarenCee 3]

Karen,

If you were familiar with consolemaster's postings you'd have known he doesn't have a very strong grasp of English.

This isn't a knock on him, just an observation. He's a good guy.

I know...and I should have been a bit more flexible, hmmm? Just a little hot this morning...my bad.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

You bleeding hearts make me sick.

(Charles told me to switch over ....balance things out a bit while the neocons are gone.)

[Chica Yeyé 41]

You bleeding hearts make me sick.

(Charles told me to switch over ....balance things out a bit while the neocons are gone.)

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

It's significant that the U.S. government is finally making a public acknowledgment. It seems that government apologies tend to come many years after the fact (as in Canada's and Australia's recent apologies to First Nations and Aborigines, respectively), but it's still important.

I'd say it's relevant that most of the eye-rolling comes from people who have little or no experience with, or a direct connection to, systematic discrimination.

Yep - apologies of this nature are often more relevant when the victims of a particular policy are still alive and the events occurred within living memory. While the individuals behind such policies may be long dead - that doesn't excuse their successors and descendents from a measure of responsibility, certainly in terms of government - which should always be viewed as an institution rather than a collection of individuals who can disconnect themselves from from the past.

But certainly its not unreasonable to suggest that social inequalities resulting from oppressive policies are certainly relevant when they still inform the present (unless we consider the rather distasteful and racist view that the failures of blacks to achieve equivalent income standards or levels of education has nothing whatsoever to do with their historical treatment and place in the overall fabric of society).

As a symbolic gesture - there's nothing wrong with apologies, but obviously for progress to be made this should be accompanied by redoubled efforts on all sides to bring about a more egalitarian state of society through social programs and the like. Within that of course people need to get beyond victim mentalities and stand up for themselves.

But clearly we can't wish away this issue simply because a few reactionary extremists don't want to acknowledge it.

[zqt3344 21]

What a joke! This guy Cohen is a suck up for he is about to get beat in his district and he knows it. What a pandering smuck! Like it is going to do him a lot of good, he will lose anyway. Real classy Cohen, like all those blacks are going to vote for you now cause you feel their pain. AHAH

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.

...

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

[Ggreen 12]

Oh.. nooo the ....

[zqt3344 21]

EXACTLY! Great picture, sums it all up to this story for certain!

OH YES the.......................... is back!

Oh.. nooo the ....

[Ggreen 12]

[zqt3344 21]

Great, I see you already have some for yourself!

[Ggreen 12]

whatever you say Gary!!!! Edited July 30, 2008 by vjmmbr

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Hey ZQT, how's the wife and kids? Seen any good movies lately? Any vacation plans?

[Chica Yeyé 41]

nm

Edited July 30, 2008 by Len_and_Bren