Va. lawmakers apologize for slavery

[Niels Bohr 72]

They are using tax dollars for schools, and roads. Don't make assumptions without doing research. That's where the problem lies. So what if they make useless resolutions, it don't warrant a growl at the legislation. They will always fix roads, and they will always provide funding to schools.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I want an apology from the Italians for the Romans that enslaved my people 2000 years ago.

Well... The Italians who live in Italy today have about as much in common with the ancient Romans as do the British, Spanish, French or Germans. These countries were all roman colonies after all, and subject to the "Romanisation" process that followed the expansion of the Empire.

Slavery as it was practiced in the South is directly linked to the history and subsequent cultural development of the United States. In point of fact there has been a form of slavery down there up until (at least) the mid 20th century - chain gangs anyone?

Whether or not Virginia lawmakers choose to apologise for it is their business. Obviously there is a political dimension to it - but as racism was, and continues to be a problem down there, even a token gesture is better than nothing.

it's called a 'token gesture' for a reason

it's meaningless.

and guess what...racism will always exist. You cannot control the thoughts and opinions of everyone...no matter HOW many official state apologies there are.

I don't like nor tolerate racist opinion, but at the same time, it is the right of anyone in this country to be racist. Free speech and all that. If someone wants to fly a confederate flag...guess what? it's their right. No matter why they fly it. And none of us have to like it.

But I'll take that over living in a country which will jail you for your opinion.

Anyhoo....Think for yourself ONE lawmaker who would bear the political fallout for NOT voting in favor of the resolution.....a token gesture is just that....token and meaningless. Placation for no other purpose than to pat themselves on the back for being so 'gracious'

Our tax dollars at work! Hoorah!

So you're offended by symbolic gestures - yet perhaps you support the troops....? How? Oh yeah - symbolically

[mybackpages 0]

should the city of salem apologize to pagans in america? should the US apologize for the japanese camps in wwii? should canada apologize to the chinese population in canada? should the US apologize to the cherokee and navajo nations? where does it end?

The US Congress did do just that and the apology came with a monetary compensation.

[Ban Hammer 13,345]

They are using tax dollars for schools, and roads. Don't make assumptions without doing research. That's where the problem lies. So what if they make useless resolutions, it don't warrant a growl at the legislation. They will always fix roads, and they will always provide funding to schools.

perhaps you missed it the first time around. show me any place that has plenty of money for schools and roads. i'm in virginia right now and i've driven over quite a few shoddy roads. dodging potholes seems to be a way of life here. along with perpetually crowded roads.

yes they will always "fix roads" and provide "funding" for schools, but that does not mean the money for either is adequate, does it? so let's have some more meaningless yet feel good legislation, shall we?

furthermore, their wages are paid for by taxes. don't they have something more important to do than pass useless legislation is my point.

[Heracles 417]

It is this sort of rubbish that has kept and is keeping this country back. Stop dwelling on the past and on rights rubbish and focus on real issues such as the country falling to 17th place, in terms of education, out of a possible 20 positions. Focus on the large number of ghettos that have turned so many parts of this country into uninhabitable towns. It seriously cannot be just me who is aware of this stuff..

Two can play the blame game. Why don't Africa-Americans apologize for all of the crime and murders they are responsible for??? Sounds stupid right... exactly. Same goes with apologizing for something no one in this generation is responsible for.

People can give ###### about me mentioning Australia all they like but no wonder Australia is where it is. They where sentenced to death and tortured by the English. Bashed, humiliated, tortured etc.. Guess what, they got over it. Forgiveness is the fastest way to curing one's self. The results for Australians speak for themselves.

[Heracles 417]

I don't believe that people comprehend the depth in which slavery has affected the plight of African Americans in this great nation. Remember, we are simply two generations away from segregation. The pain of slavery and segregation in African Americans lives on to this day and will for generations to come. It's like telling Jews to get over the Holocaust. That's not going to happen! There has been many strides taken to improve the opportunities for African Americans and others disenfranchised in this great nation. I believe the time for apologies and providing reparations for the centuries of oppression has long sailed and should have happened when slaves were freed. Today, apologies and reparations are completely unnecessary. America has many other domestic issues that need resolution and apologies should not be on that list. The American history has been carved in stone and those who come after us will judge and know the monstrous and horrible truth surrounding the foundation of this great nation. It's time to continue to quest to move forward in order to build and re-build the bridges of hope and opportunity for all Americans. God bless America!

Cheers!!!

Sheriff Uling

NOTE: These are simply my opinions…

I respect your opinion but as someone from abroad, I have a great knowledge of various African countries, as I studied it in school. yes, the whole slavery era was terrible. I do not think anyone is denying that. Was the US the first country to use slavery or was it the last? Answer is obviously no to both..

Just one quick question, can you tell me how many Will Smith's, Oprah's, Snoop Dogs, Barack Obama etc have come out from the African continent? A place where so many people drink water once every three days. Eat once a week etc..

I bet my life on it that there are so many good honest people living on the continent today that would give anything to live in America. That would give a finger to have 1/1,000 of what African-Americans have. That would give a toe not to be beaten or rapped every day.. Funny how so many African-Americans tend to hide this reality. I guess things are changing because there are a lot of great African-Americans here who have moved on, who have traveled abroad and actually realized how freakin lucky they are to be in this country rather than condemning it for it's past, ie Oprah..

Edited February 26, 2007 by Infidel

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

It is this sort of rubbish that has kept and is keeping this country back. Stop dwelling on the past and on rights rubbish and focus on real issues such as the country falling to 17th place, in terms of education, out of a possible 20 positions. Focus on the large number of ghettos that have turned so many parts of this country into uninhabitable towns. It seriously cannot be just me who is aware of this stuff..

Two can play the blame game. Why don't Africa-Americans apologize for all of the crime and murders they are responsible for??? Sounds stupid right... exactly. Same goes with apologizing for something no one in this generation is responsible for.

Well the Virginia legislators (as representatives of the government) are apologizing on behalf of that government - which was certainly around when the country was profitting from slavery.

In the US where Race and Class are intertwined, is it really possible to separate the two - especially when there are economic factors to consider too.

Slavery doesn't happen any more, but certainly there are still lingering inequalities from that period of history. As far as that goes, my conscience tells me that I'm the beneficiary of an unfair system.

[Alex+R 0]

Hehehe... I read the title of the thread and I easily predicted the second post (LisaD's). Rolled my eyes preemtively and opened the thread. Sigh. Wish I hadn't.

[Heracles 417]

Well the Virginia legislators (as representatives of the government) are apologizing on behalf of that government - which was certainly around when the country was profitting from slavery.

In the US where Race and Class are intertwined, is it really possible to separate the two - especially when there are economic factors to consider too.

Slavery doesn't happen any more, but certainly there are still lingering inequalities from that period of history. As far as that goes, my conscience tells me that I'm the beneficiary of an unfair system.

How about an apology from the Dutch who enslaved and sold them as slaves? Or from the Muslim Africans who sold off so many Africans as slaves.. Or from the tribes who sold off their criminals as slaves... How about an apology for 40 years worth of crime and murder committed by so many African-Americans? Even till this day, every time I turn on the TV I see an African-Americans wanted or charged with a murder or some crime.

80 years of slavery vs 40 years of violent crime.. If we can blame every Caucasians today for something they did not do we sure as hell should be able to blame every African-Americans for the crimes committed by their brothers, sons, daughters, fathers etc..

I hope you see my point..

Edited February 26, 2007 by Infidel

[Fandango 1,439]

I want an apology from the Italians for the Romans that enslaved my people 2000 years ago.

Well... The Italians who live in Italy today have about as much in common with the ancient Romans as do the British, Spanish, French or Germans. These countries were all roman colonies after all, and subject to the "Romanisation" process that followed the expansion of the Empire.

Slavery as it was practiced in the South is directly linked to the history and subsequent cultural development of the United States. In point of fact there has been a form of slavery down there up until (at least) the mid 20th century - chain gangs anyone?

Whether or not Virginia lawmakers choose to apologise for it is their business. Obviously there is a political dimension to it - but as racism was, and continues to be a problem down there, even a token gesture is better than nothing.

it's called a 'token gesture' for a reason

it's meaningless.

and guess what...racism will always exist. You cannot control the thoughts and opinions of everyone...no matter HOW many official state apologies there are.

I don't like nor tolerate racist opinion, but at the same time, it is the right of anyone in this country to be racist. Free speech and all that. If someone wants to fly a confederate flag...guess what? it's their right. No matter why they fly it. And none of us have to like it.

But I'll take that over living in a country which will jail you for your opinion.

Anyhoo....Think for yourself ONE lawmaker who would bear the political fallout for NOT voting in favor of the resolution.....a token gesture is just that....token and meaningless. Placation for no other purpose than to pat themselves on the back for being so 'gracious'

Our tax dollars at work! Hoorah!

So you're offended by symbolic gestures - yet perhaps you support the troops....? How? Oh yeah - symbolically

I support the troops by being active in veteran's issues. And have been my whole life. I've served as an officer in a Veteran's Auxillary, attend local, state and national conventions for veteran's rights. I've traveled to practically every state in the country in doing so.

I volunteer at the VA hopitals, and have been quite active in helping veterans any way I can once they get home.

I was raised in a family who believed in giving back....not only does my grandfather have a DAV chapter posthumously named in his honor, but he and my grandmother traveled something like 40k miles in one year campaigning and fund raising for veteran's rights.

Bit foolish on your part to be so presumtuous....but then again, it's just your style to deflect from the topic at hand and try to confuse it with another, lol. It's also a bit foolish to not know by now that I believe that talk is cheap...but then again, that's your style too all show no go.

And yes, I'm offended by symbolic gestures, cos it's an empty gesture and an impotent attempt at placation. Especially when none is needed.

Edited February 26, 2007 by LisaD

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

And yes, I'm offended by symbolic gestures, cos it's an empty gesture and an impotent attempt at placation. Especially when none is needed.

Who is being placated here?

[Fandango 1,439]

Hehehe... I read the title of the thread and I easily predicted the second post (LisaD's). Rolled my eyes preemtively and opened the thread. Sigh. Wish I hadn't.

It's quite a shame you don't have more tolerance for the existance of differing opinion. You should work on that

And yes, I'm offended by symbolic gestures, cos it's an empty gesture and an impotent attempt at placation. Especially when none is needed.

Who is being placated here?

You tell me!

[Alex+R 0]

I respect your right to your own opinion. It's just one I find a bit...predictable. I agree that there are many reasons public apologies could be considered silly. I'd just like to see some variety of argument from the other camp once in awhile

[Heracles 417]

Hehehe... I read the title of the thread and I easily predicted the second post (LisaD's). Rolled my eyes preemtively and opened the thread. Sigh. Wish I hadn't.

It's quite a shame you don't have more tolerance for the existance of differing opinion. You should work on that

oooohh. Alex is going to get you now. Just look at how you spelled existence..

I respect your right to your own opinion. It's just one I find a bit...predictable. I agree that there are many reasons public apologies could be considered silly. I'd just like to see some variety of argument from the other camp once in awhile

like your view is not.

Edited February 26, 2007 by Infidel

[Fandango 1,439]

I respect your right to your own opinion. It's just one I find a bit...predictable. I agree that there are many reasons public apologies could be considered silly. I'd just like to see some variety of argument from the other camp once in awhile

Ok so it's predictable. I could say the same about your opinion.

Does that make it acceptable to be so condescending?