Does the United States need to formally apologize to African-Americans for slavery and if they did, what would it accomplish?
The state of Virginia is seriously considering issuing a formal apology to African-Americans for it's historical role in the African Slave Trade. Many people are publicly expressing opposition to what many rational individuals around the world feel is a necessary step in healing some of the wounds that African-Americans still carry with them as a result of hundreds of years of racism and oppression. If the United States is truly sorry for perpetuating one of the most vile and dehumanizing episodes of human history, then it should have no problem apologizing for it. That is the least it can do to help rectify the racial situation that it created.
When slavery was abolished at the end of the Civil War, the United States government felt it necessary to give white slaveowners reparations for the loss of their labor force. They actually compensated white racists whose lack of morality and immense greed not only stripped away the very humanity of Black people but also plunged this country into a Civil War. The ex-slaves were given nothing but a promise of 40 acres and a mule that still hasn't been fulfilled to this day. Yet American society is bickering over whether it is necessary to formally apologize for slavery? This is a total slap in the face to every African-American that believes that they are finally legitimate citizens in the United States. It also seems to prove the long held belief by many Black people that the government will never do anything to seriously address and fix the racism that has literally affected millions upon millions of Black people since the founding of this country.
If they won't apologize for slavery, why would they do anything seriously to change the legacy that it and racism has left upon the shoulders of African-Americans? Why should we believe that the laws of the United States will protect us if the government doesn't even have the decency to do the most basic thing to heal a negative relationship? Any therapist will tell you that rectifying a negative situation begins with taking responsibility and saying "I'm sorry". If a party won't even do that then there is no hope for any type of reconcilliation.
A formal apology for slavery to African-Americans from the United States government would be the long overdue olive branch that would make many Black people finally feel optimistic about the racial situation in this country. It would show that the United States is indeed a moral authority in the world and is honorable enough to atone for it's mistakes. Many white people think that African-Americans contribute to their lot in society by limitting their own potential. Nevermind the fact that hundreds of years of systemic racism has plundered most of the optimism out of the African-American community and left millions of young black people feeling as if it doesn't make sense to try to acheive anything worthwhile in this country due to their constant struggle with long held racist beliefs and ideologies. Isn't it hypocritical for white people to criticize African-Americans for their beliefs on racism when they don't even see the need to express sympathy for it?
The time has come for the United States to seriously address the issue of racism. That includes rectifying past mistakes and expressing regret for the way thatAfrican-Americanshave been MADE to feel for hundreds of years. Many white people that say they have nothing to apologize for because they didn't personally own slaves need to realize that they are STILL benefitting from the racist ideals that this country was founded on. Their white skin is a privilege and black skin is a hinderance. This is a fact that has been proven over and over again by scholars of all academic fields. It is time to stop studying the problem and start solving it, and it all begins with an apology.
Zarian Phipps is a Senior Political Science scholar at the University of New Orleans. He was stranded for five days in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and saw the chaos and mistreatment of American citizens firsthand. He is the founder of Black and Blue Politics.com!
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» left by robert melaccio sr. (1 year 213 days ago.)
The act of owning slaves is still in existance today on the part of all races and not just whites. It was part of the culture of many cultures at that historic time and as mentioned still is today. Certainly it is even mentioned in the bible. That aside the fact that people owned slaves and were citizens of this nation was a sin. I have to say that there are many forms of exploitation and all are not any better then the other. Personally, and I do not mean this is a negative context, if your still hung up over an apology by a government long since gone then in my opinion the apology is not the issue. I believe it has more to do with ones own forgiveness and self esteem. This government represents many people of diverse cultures who had and have nothing to do with slavery. That is not to make light that blacks were and are abused in many socities by all races but so are others and the list is quite long. So what should we do? Should we ask the world to do no less? Should you not expect they apologize? While we are at it I am sure there will be a list from others who feel the same about an issue. If Christian, as many Black Afro Americans are, then are we not to forgive and move on? Yes, slavery is a sin and the horrors of slavery were a blight on the souls of those who owned them. If someone is still blaming the dead then there is no hope for reconciliation. The true character and strength of the Afro American People is their triumphs as spelled out in the Robinsons, Dungy, Obama's, Carvers and Kings and untold numbers who defeated those who foster hate by their individual triumphs and who continue to do so each day. An apology may be nice but in my opinion it solves nothing. The words are hollow if not uttered by the sinner for they are just uttered for political expediency. Best wishes. Respond to this comment
» left by Zarian Phipps(474) (1 year 207 days ago.)
thanks for reading my article although we obviously have two different opinions on the subject. my main point is what is the big deal if the u.s. apologizes for slavery? i don't think that in itself will solve the racial situation in this country, but it is definitely a start. especially when the u.s. has apologized and compensated other groups in this country for much less dehumanization. i know that other cultures have and still perpetuate slavery, but i am speaking about african slaves. Respond to this comment
» left by Joseph Collins(416) Joseph Collins (1 year 213 days ago.)
Zarian and Robert - my initial reaction was to not wade in on this one, but I found both of your comments to be interesting and compelling. Zarian's article explains the African American position very well. Robert's comments were also thoughtful and probably mirrors the opinion of many other Americans. Thus, Zarian and Robert should both be congratulated on doing a good job of laying out why this issue has been and continues to be so difficult to resolve.
However, rather than taking a position either way, let me throw out some red meat. The U.S. State Department is currently putting pressure on the Japanese government to apologize for using tens of thousands of Asian women (Chinese, Korean, Filipino, etc) as sex slaves in official military brothels during WWII. Does this put the U.S. in the position of being hypocritical? I would be interested in hearing Searchwarp reader's opinion on that. Thanks! Respond to this comment
» left by Jean from Houston, TX (1 year 206 days ago.)
When I heard about the US gov't putting pressure on the Japanese to apologize, I remembered Zarian's article & thought "How hypocritical!" I could be wrong, but it seems like I remember that we've already apologized formally for putting the Japanese Americans in internment camps during WWII and for horribly mistreating the Native Americans during our westward expansion. If my memory of those events is correct, then it seems completely obvious that African Americans are also owed the courtesy of an apology. Apologizing when one has legitimately wronged another is a very freeing experience. Maybe that would jump start a healing process that seems to be languishing. Respond to this comment
» left by Zarian Phipps(474) (1 year 206 days ago.)
exactly....it is the height of hypocrisy Respond to this comment
» left by Anonymous (1 year 72 days ago.)
African Americans will always be the stepchild of the United States of America. The problem is not an owed "apology", although, an apology could not hurt, it is the on-going injustices in blaming the victims of slavery for their continuing condition. African Americans have been settling for sub-par services and education and some have successfully transitioned to a state of being colored green and not automatically black. There is so much that I would love to type into this space, but suffice it to say that this is the mindset of some African Americans today. Working poor African Americans today "wish" that they had been born another race just for the opportunities afforded to the other races that migrate here. An African American is automatically discounted as "less than" based solely on the color of their skin and they are just tired of it. They are simply bored with the whole "color" thing and wish that they could be taken as they are and not as they are perceived to be based on the few and not the many.
If only other races would understand that there are millions of African Americans who are working hard and expecting no handouts or handups from any race, we could get on with the business of curing the ills of the world and living in God’s grace.
» left by Zarian Phipps(474) (1 year 38 days ago.)
Thank you for reading it and expressing your opinion. I totally agree with you. Respond to this comment
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