- posted on 09/02/2012 09:21:32This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 29th, 2008 at 10:17 pm and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
The United States House of Representatives approved by voice vote Resolution 194 to apologize for slavery. The resolution was introduced in February 2007 by Tennessee congressman Steve Cohen who serves a majority black district. 120 congressional leaders signed on as co-sponsors.
Representative Cohen is currently in a tough political fight to keep his congressional seat. His election is just days away. Some members of the congressional black caucus are supporting his African American female opponent.
The issue of an apology for slavery is not new. In 1998, there was an expectation then President Bill Clinton would apologize for Slavery when he toured Senegal’s Goree Island. He did not. During that period, Clinton was in the midst of holding his conversations on race. At that same time, then Congressman Tony Hall of Ohio generated the debate about a government apology.
Years later, when President George W. Bush embarked on his African journey, he declined an apology too.
A concern about an apology was its link to costly reparations for descendants of enslaved Africans.
Resolution 194 has no reparation provisions but does express regret in written form through the House vote. House Resolution 194:
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.
July 30th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Thank you for posting the resolution, April.
I have not seen one news organization on TV or Cable report this as of yet.
I am really looking forward to the launch of J.C. Watts’ All Black News Channel in 2009 not only because it is so overdue and needed that we have a 24 hour All Black News Channel of our own, but also because when stories such as this break, we in the African-American community need to to know about it immediately. If it had not been for the internet, I would not have known about this today.
I hope that TV One also gets an All Black News Channel in the near future or at least a daily news program too. We need it all.
The words in Resolution 194 are very powerful. I am very interested to hear Black America’s reaction to the fact that “Resolution 194 has no reparation provisions but does express regret in written form through the House vote.”
That reminds me of the old saying that, once again, “Close, but no cigar.” No reparations.
I know that the reparations issue for many Americans and Black Americans is very controversial. Even in the Black Community, I have heard those that say we needed it as in yesterday like all the other groups that have received it, and I have heard African Americans that are totally against it for various reasons.
That is interesting that Tennessee congressman Steve Cohen (a white, Jewish gentleman) who serves a majority black district was the one who introduced the resolution in the first place.
It is also interesting to me that he is in a tough political fight to keep his congressional seat and that some members of the congressional black caucus are supporting his African American female opponent instead. Fascinating dynamics.
I am so glad you brought up the time when President Clinton went to Africa in ‘98. To this day, I meet people and they are convinced that President Clinton apologized for slavery during his tour in ‘98. My response to them is that he never publically issued an official statement apologizing for it or for the Federal Government to publically, officially apologize for it. I always tell them, he came close to apologizing for slavery on behalf of America, but he really did not.
I can still remember that image of President Clinton and Hillary looking out of the Door of No Return on Senegal’s Goree Island. Obviously he and his wife were moved but obviously not moved enough to officially apologize for slavery and to begin the efforts to even look into reparations for African Americans. I have to be honest - that hurt that he did not.
Yes, Bush declined to issue an apology too. I remember that. I think it’s true that they know that once they publically, officially apoplogize for slavery, that reparations issue is going to be so large money wise, that — you know the rest. They won’t go there. They won’t touch it.
I told my sister earlier this year while they kept forcing Obama to apologize for everything in the world, no matter who said it or did it, I told her, “Sis, if Barack does become President, the way they keep forcing him to apologize for things he did not do, they are going to end up making HIM to be The President to apologize for slavery too!”
When you add it all up, that sum would be a great, great, great amount. Physically, Socially, Culturally, Psychologically, spiritually, it goes on — the damaging effects we still see to this day. Is there any real dollar amount they could say in all truth that would begin to repare all the damage done? Generations and generations of our ancestors who never received thier just due. The stories go on and on. It’s so bad, most elders to this day don’t even want to talk about it.
I do feel that whatever the $ amount would be, it would at least be a start, but that more importantly, it can’t just be money. It would have to be a total “Reparing” in the way of socio-ecomic issues across the board for us that would really help us as a people.
If they gave each African-American family $250,000 and said “There…(wipes hands) There you go. Happy?” it would not even begin to be enough in my opinion. More is needed than the money in my opinion for this.
I think that The President and all the members of congress need to read Randall Robinson’s “The Debt What America Owes to Blacks” for starters.
Thanks for posting the Resolution. I am spreading the word to my friends it is online for them to check it out for themselves.
Peace,
~LT
August 4th, 2008 at 11:53 pm
I am sick of hearing about blacks being offended.
I’m offended every time I hear AFRICAN-AMERICAN. If I’m white then they are black. PERIOD
Right now America is being over run with illegals and Muslims and others who are NOT true citizens. I look upon blacks, who are citizens and mostly Christian as my fellow Americans and brothers or sisters in Christ. United we stand but divided we fall. It is important for us to see each other as AMERICANS! United for our nation.
Division has always been a tool of the devil. And putting African in front of American is an insult and just as inflamatory to most whites as the n word is to blacks.
AND since Obama is HALF white, why does he act as if he is only black? I would think he would use that fact to help unite all of us.
And it’s time to FORGET the slavery issue. Slavery has been around since the beginning of time. The Hebrews were slaves in Egypt for over 400 years and they got over it. Not to mention what they went through during the Holocaust. So why do blacks keep bringing up something that NONE of them have experiened?
Whites in America today had NOTHING to do with slavery. And it was mostly blacks and Arabs that kidnapped blacks from Africa for the slave trade. It wasn’t just the whites. And America only had about 6% of the slaves from that period. And it was whites that later helped abolish slavery. Many even died in order to see blacks freed! And the Civil War was one of the bloodiest ever. I’d hate to think we might be heading that way again?
AND if blacks are still so upset over slavery, why aren’t they doing
something about the fact that it still goes on today? Not only in Africa but even in America in the most vile form of sexual slavery. Every documentary I see about these horried conditions in Africa, it is whites who are working to alleviate them.
And why didn’t Opray build 40 1 million dollar schools rather than one 40 million dollar one? That would have given hundreds more of young Africans a better chance for a good education.
I believe that people like Jesse and Al try to keep many blacks feeling victimized so they (Al & Jesse) can keep in power and keep the money flowing in to their pockets.
And there is no longer any need for the NAACP but if they admit this they would have to disband. So they have to be like “spiders” looking for any word or gesture they can jump on to shout RACIST.
Yes, our history contains far too many horrors and wrongs but if we keep looking backward it will make going forward very difficult. Today almost anyone, white or black or brown, yellow or red, who is willing to work hard can elevate their position. But too many would rather sit and be taken care of by a “Nanny Government” rather than be responsible for themselves and those they bring into this world.
Before I retired from college teaching, several of my black students told me that blacks are the biggest racists of all. One dear young man who was very dark told me that he had been ordered out of black homes because he was considered to be too black.
It isn’t the color of our skin but the essence of our character that
matters.
Yahweh looks at the heart and so should we.
All TRUE Americans need to unite to restore those things that made this
country great. Unless we do, this nation is doomed.
It’s time for ALL of us to be honest and direct with one another and quit letting PC keep us from sharing our hearts. As I used to tell my students: There is ONLY ONE race…the Human Race. (Oh, unless you count the rat race, which most of us have had to endure from time to time.)
August 11th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
To arapahojo, interesting comments you have on this issue. I would liek to repsond to your remarks. OK, where can I start? I’ll start with your words.
“I am sick of hearing about blacks being offended. I’m offended every time I hear AFRICAN-AMERICAN. If I’m white then they are black. PERIOD”
Why would YOU be sick or offended? Are your feelings actually hurt about it? LOL! Opinions like this do not surprise me in the least. To be quite honest, I as a black person in most cases when it comes to this issue, actually DON’T expect you to understand. Some white people do but most to this day do not GET IT. White America continues to be in serious denial about the slavery issue and your words confirm that.
Also, it’s not up to you as a person or a white person to dicate to us how we should feel for what your ancestors did. That’s not your call. We can feel however we like or want to feel on the subject whether you like it or not. There is no “PERIOD.” At least not to come from you.
“It is important for us to see each other as AMERICANS!”
Is that new news? Is that a new revelation to you? Black Americans have been and continue to be some of the most patriotic Americans in this country and in most cases STILL do not get recognized for that. Name your war I will name our patriotic acts.
“Division has always been a tool of the devil.”
True but Who do you think divided us, good sir?
“And putting African in front of American is an insult and just as inflamatory to most whites as the n word is to blacks.”
Is putting Italian in front of American an insult to you? Is putting German in front of American an insult to you? What is your racial background makeup? Why can every racial group in the world put their motherland country in front of American but when Black people call themselves African American you get personally insulted?
That is actually funny to me that you would feel that way. It’s both funny and very telling of how deeply in denial you are as a white person about our issues. It sounds to me like you have been deeply socially conditioned.
We went through slavery and you want us to forget it? You want us to not talk about it? Is that how you feel about Native Americans and Japanese Americans and Jewish Americans expereiences too? From The Trail of Tears to the Encampments of Japanese Americans to the horrors of Germany under Hitler directed at Jewish people? Would you tell them to forget all of that too? Are you kidding me? Why do you think we have the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC? It’s to see and rememeber what happened. Not only that but it shows the horrors that man can do to man so that will never happen again.
“And it’s time to FORGET the slavery issue.”
Says who? You? LOL! You know what, this is the typical response from one who was never affected by slavery. African Americans still are in many ways. Europeans in USA had a 500 year start on Black People because of all the racist laws and rules that were created. We still are suffering from the effects of that even with all of our accomplishments.
“So why do blacks keep bringing up something that NONE of them have experiened?”
Our ancestors experienced it. Most Black Americans are 4 to 5 generations away from Slavery. Most were never paid or compensated. No reparations to this day. No apology. Nothing. Hardly even an official acknowledgement. Are you kidding me or are you just that socially conditioned to believe that?
“Whites in America today had NOTHING to do with slavery.”
Though the present generation of White American may have had nothing to do with Slavery, the present generation still benefitted greatly through and via the genrational, governmental system 100 times more than Black Americans. In alot of cases, today’s generation of White America has many descendants who did own slaves. With DNA testing today that is very easy to connect the dots and find out. Some did, some did not, but overall, most today have benefitted in many ways most of which I think you and they take for granted or not or even aware of. I call it a sense of entitlement as well.
Remember this: When it comes to the history of Black people in America - since we were brought here, the playing field was never truly balanced. To this day I still feel it is not there 100% from the top levels to the bottom.
“And it was mostly blacks and Arabs that kidnapped blacks from Africa for the slave trade. It wasn’t just the whites. And America only had about 6% of the slaves from that period. And it was whites that later helped abolish slavery. Many even died in order to see blacks freed! And the Civil War was one of the bloodiest ever.”
There were also Jews, Portuguese, French and Spanish that were involved in the Slave Trade. You are correct that many other races including some Africans were involved with the Slave Trade but in most cases we did not organize it - they acted as middle men - they did not steer the slaveships over here. Some whites did help abolish slavery you are correct but many did not.
“AND if blacks are still so upset over slavery, why aren’t they doing
something about the fact that it still goes on today? Not only in Africa but even in America in the most vile form of sexual slavery. Every documentary I see about these horried conditions in Africa, it is whites who are working to alleviate them.”
I hear your point but there are black people and black organizations who are aware of the slavery issue and are doing something about it. The Sudan issue for one. Many blacks are aware of it and doing something about it. It’s just that its not presented in the mass media what we do. Also alot of the white organizations have more finances than the black organizations to do more about it. Once again, if things were balanced from the beginning, maybe we would have as much financing.
Alot of it too is edcuating people on the issue and not just black people.
“And why didn’t Opray build 40 1 million dollar schools rather than one 40 million dollar one? That would have given hundreds more of young Africans a better chance for a good education.”
You’d have to ask Oprah on that one! It’s her money!
“I believe that people like Jesse and Al try to keep many blacks feeling victimized so they (Al & Jesse) can keep in power and keep the money flowing in to their pockets.”
You are not the first person to say this. Belive it or not, many black people believe Jessye and Al do not represent them at all. The Black Community can actually be VERY critical of Al and Jessye on many occasions. I think you need to listen to THE POWER on XM Radio to belive me.
“And there is no longer any need for the NAACP…”
That once again, really is not for YOU to say. That is not your shot to call.
“…but if they admit this they would have to disband. So they have to be like “spiders” looking for any word or gesture they can jump on to shout RACIST.”
OK, now this is going beyond, beyond to me. This is further proving to me you are removed from many of the real issues the NAACP addresses. It’s not just an organization set up for black people only.
Also would you ever dare to say the Jewish Defense League should disband? I am betting you would not!
“Before I retired from college teaching, several of my black students told me that blacks are the biggest racists of all. One dear young man who was very dark told me that he had been ordered out of black homes because he was considered to be too black.”
I think there is a difference between Racism and Social and Mental Conditioning. But that is a debate or argument for another day. I actually think it’s impossible for a Black American to be considered Racist against Whites in America. Again, another argument for another time.
“It isn’t the color of our skin but the essence of our character that
matters.”
I agree with that. If whites ancestors 500 years ago REALLY felt that way too maybe they would have never enslaved Black Americans ancestors in the first place!
“Yahweh looks at the heart and so should we.”
Maybe you should pass that on to your white friends that need to hear that. That is not new to us. We know that.
“All TRUE Americans need to unite to restore those things that made this
country great. Unless we do, this nation is doomed.”
In my opinion, sir, the TRUE Americans are the Native Americans that once again, White People and your European Ancestors killed, divided and destroyed. So your statement sounds like a “who are talking about? YOUR definition of who an American is? I know some Native American Brothers and Sisters who would question you the same way and say YOU are not A TRUE AMERICAN!
“It’s time for ALL of us to be honest and direct with one another and quit letting PC keep us from sharing our hearts.”
I agree with that. Black folks did not make up this term PC Political Correctness. White people did. LOL! SO that was never on us. Next! We always been keepin it real and we still do!
“As I used to tell my students: There is ONLY ONE race…the Human Race. (Oh, unless you count the rat race, which most of us have had to endure from time to time.)”
That sounds all WE ARE THE WORLD and HOLDIN HANDS IN THE RAINBOW SUNSHINE AND ALL but that sounds a little too johnny come lately and after the fact for it to come from you at this time. That statemtne sounds like a cliche statement of get along convenience. WE KNOW THAT ALREADY. RACE WAS NEVER AN ISSUE WITH US BEFORE SLAVERY. We have always been a UNIVERCAL PEOPLE.
I think alot of your statements show just how once again, “White Folks just dont get it.” It’s sad but true. Everybody knows it but just wont say it publically.
It’s two different experiences. Holy Roller and Bible Thumpin talk is fine but what I do not like is that kind of talk - skips over TONS OF ISSUES that are valid realities and the reasons that led to them
I welcome your comments because dialogue is truly the begginning of healing and understanding.
Barack should not have been the one to open a discussion on race to me but white people forced him to do it and he did it and knocked it out the park beautifully.
It’s a hell of a thing to me that we, the victims of racism and white supremeacy for 500 years have to be the ones that explean RACE to YOU! LOL!
“Lord Forgive Them For They Know Not What They Do”
As long as white people were committing crimes to black people, they knew EXACTLY what they were doing. They were experts at it!
Peace!
~LT