State of Virginia apologizes for slavery

[terry78]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070225/ap_on_re_us/slavery_apology

One down....

 

[Kritish]

Oh and that changes everything, I'm sure that African Americans were holding their breaths for that to happen.

 

[CConn]

I apologize for my role in slavery too.

 

[Kritish]

I apologize for my role in slavery too.

You must be one old mother ****er.

 

[Mister J]

No need to start a new thread for this, but New Jersey may be added to the list as well.

(CNN) -- A committee of the New Jersey Assembly on Thursday approved a resolution that would make the state the first north of the Mason-Dixon line to apologize for slavery.

The legislation does not need the signature of New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine to become official.

The resolution was approved by a simple majority, said Jim Sverapa, press secretary for the New Jersey Assembly Majority Office.

The step is just the first of several that must be taken by Monday, the last day of the current legislative session, or the process will have to begin again. Approval is also needed from a Senate committee and both full houses.

The resolution will not need Gov. Jon Corzine's signature. It will become official when filed with the secretary of state.

The symbolic atonement would follow apologies for slavery made in 2007 by legislators in Alabama, Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia.

New Jersey was the last northern state to abolish slavery, in 1846.

The resolution, championed by Assemblyman William Payne, notes the state, "with as many as 12,000 slaves, had one of the largest populations of captive Africans in the northern colonies."

It adds that New Jersey had one of the most severe slave codes in the North, and was one of the few Northern states to sanction the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, which allowed authorities in non-slave states to capture escaped slaves and return them to their owners.

Not really seeing the point, but I suppose it's better than the state deciding to endorse its role in slavery prior to 1846.

 

[GoldenAgeHero]

"which allowed authorities in non-slave states to capture escaped slaves and return them to their owners."

feels good to know we were pets.

 

[Spidey-Bat]

Well, thank God for this. Now all the ancetors of slaves can sleep more peacefully know states are apologizing. Honestly, this is a complete ****ing waste of time. Not only did it happen over 140 years ago, but the governments of the stats are completely different.

 

[oakzap425]

...Wow, you've lived as an african-american person recently?

 

[The Lizard]

So...are the reparations checks in the mail?

 

[oakzap425]

So...are the reparations checks in the mail?

You know, I don't understand those things. Exactly who gets the check?

 

[dsfjr1190]

Does it really matter? It's over and done with. The original slaves are dead. I don't see the point of any of this.

 

[Mee]

You know, I don't understand those things. Exactly who gets the check?

Tupac.

 

[oakzap425]

Tupac.

... you tried.

 

[Spidey-Bat]

...Wow, you've lived as an african-american person recently?

Have you lived as a slave recently?

You know, I don't understand those things. Exactly who gets the check?

The actual slaves. After all, they were the ones who were enslaved and mistreated. Not their descendants 140 years later.

 

[oakzap425]

Have you lived as a slave recently?

In my line of work, it could be debated.

 

[bullets]

I thought the apologies were already given ... damn .

 

[Taiwarriorz21]

Slavery was freaking a long time ago. Why all of a sudden does the State say "Oh! By the way....As a "STATE", We are sorry of Harboring Slaves for all those years". This is kind of random. To say the least. I bet the NAACP will have a National Holiday set for the state of Virginia now. We shall wait and see!

 

[unstoppable]

why

 

[blackcobra]

Come on guys, don't let your white guilt cloud your judgement. You weren't slave masters so don't get so defensive. This has to be done, the state played an immoral role in the institution of Slavery. So it's makes sense for them, for the first time in History, to apologize for their immoral actions. It's alarming how many of you are upset about this. Generations in the past were to racist to ever make a formal apology, eventhough slavery ended 140 years ago, Blacks didn't get equal rights until 40 years ago.

 

[JP]

Apology accepted?

 

[JewishHobbit]

I kinda find this stupid, but oh well. Maybe it'll help some black people feel better about the nation or something.

 

[The Squirrel]

Do they really need to apologise now?

When will Africa apologise for selling their people off in the first place?

 

[terry78]

Do they really need to apologise now?

When will Africa apologise for selling their people off in the first place?

I understand what you mean, but people always bring that up when it comes to slavery. Yes, Africa did take part in slave trade, but that doesn't excuse everyone else that took part. 1600 wrongs don't make a right.

 

[Mee]

... you tried.

...Alright.

 

[Mee]

Come on guys, don't let your white guilt cloud your judgement. You weren't slave masters so don't get so defensive. This has to be done, the state played an immoral role in the institution of Slavery. So it's makes sense for them, for the first time in History, to apologize for their immoral actions. It's alarming how many of you are upset about this. Generations in the past were to racist to ever make a formal apology, eventhough slavery ended 140 years ago, Blacks didn't get equal rights until 40 years ago.

I don't think anyone is "upset."

"Stupid Virginia, apologizing for slavery...crap! Grr... "


Haha