If America Apologized for Slavery, Would It Really Mean Anything?
Posted: Thursday, March 15, 2007
by Peggy Butler
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There is a debt to the Negro people which America can never repay. At least then, they must make amends. -Sojourner Truth-
“We is free!" Those exhilarating words of a slave in 1863, as he hovered at dawn before his make shift cabin, brought an end to one of the most gruesome chapters in American history. Slavery having ended in the 1800s, with the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, has resulted in many debating whether America should apologize to Blacks for sustaining and/or contributing to this horrific institution.
As a person of color my answer is a resounding Yes. And as an astute observer, who likes to explore all aspects of the historical agenda, I put my imagination to work and envisioned what would happen if an apology took place. And this is what I came up with.
Finally An Apology!
It was 144 years in the making. A crime so heinous many deny its authenticity, and refer to it as a tale told by pessimists filled with anger and disgust, symbolizing terror. But alas it happened.
It began oddly in 1619 in Jamestown, Virginia, with the arrival of 20 Africans aboard a Dutch man of war. According to historians, the slaves brought to Jamestown by Dutch pirate traders were sold and traded in exchange for supplies. Thus began slavery, a human tragedy that lasted for 251 years.
Imagine 251 years of beatings, submission, domination, mind control, the humiliation of being auctioned like cattle at a market, relentless labor with zero financial compensation, and denying a race of people their constitutional rights. Now, if that isn’t enough to sear your conscious, imagine being owned by someone who could do to you anything they wanted, INCLUDING MURDER, and nothing would be done about it, because slaves were not recognized as people. Hence, based on the aforementioned atrocities, many African-Americans thought an apology was imminent, if not in the 20th century, then perhaps in the 21st.
And they were right. Finally in 2007 the apology came. (Remember this is merely a scenario of my imagination). So, as I watched the Senate apologize to millions of Blacks, it struck me that an apology, no matter how sincere, cannot erase the fact that slavery had a lasting impact on the Negro psyche and White America’s reluctance to acknowledge its aftermath.
As I write this I can hear a chorus of buts from people of European origin (Caucasians). “But we are all equal now." “But you were not enslaved, your ancestors were, so get over it." “But racism is not as prevalent as it was 200 years ago." “ But we weren’t even alive when slavery occurred, so why should we apologize?" Therein lies the rub. With such callous attitudes, what would be the point in the Senate offering an apology that should have been made decades ago? Moreover, if and when an apology takes place, what would prompt it? Guilt or post-traumatic remorse? Is this America's way of correcting a wrong?
One-hundred and forty-four years after slavery ended, America is forever guilty in the eyes of Blacks, who know first hand the depth of this country's depravity. First they enslaved us and later lynched us. Anyway you look at it, an apology at this stage would be much too little and far too late.
And Still We Rise!
So what can African-Americans do? Admittedly, we will never forget the horror our ancestors suffered, but we can honor their memory by bringing out the best in ourselves and each other. Therefore, as the 21st century luxuriates in its infancy, we take stock of where we’ve been and where we’re going. Hence, we evaluate our assets as well as our liabilities. Hopeful that in seizing the opportunities before us, we rest in the knowledge that we can accomplish anything. Thereupon, armed with persistence and determination, we continue to rise above the fray, TRIUMPHANT and COURAGEOUS.
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Top-level comments on this article: (5 total)Great ArticleThank you for your response, you have made my day.
Wow, as a White person ,I was ready to dismiss this article before reading it. But after viewing it I changedf my mind. You are so right, Peggy, and apology at this stage would be "too little and far too late."
It wasn’t even the intention of original writers of the constitution to outlaw slavery, it was the text of the constitution which took a civil war to bring it’s ideology into a reality. I think before we even try to apologize for our injustices we must first end them all together. Are you really free today Peggy?David: I agree with your statement 100%. As for whether I'm free, in the ideological sense I am. But as far as the Constitution or other historical documents is concerned, I may not be. The bottom line is that, regardless of whether an apology is ever issued, all I can do is live my life to the fullest and pay homage to my ancestors by not letting the past deter my future. Best Wishes
Peggy, thanks for bravely wading into an issue that continues to divide Americans of all races, backgrounds and perspectives. I believe at some point in the near future, there will be an official apology for American slavery. Will it matter? Probably. Will it be sufficient to acknowledge the fact that American slavery was only 25% of all of the slavery that took place in the Western hemisphere. Probably not. The most important aspect that will come from an official apology is the national discussion that will take place on issues like: What are the lingering consequences of slavery? Do some Americans (white and black) still take unfair advantage of racial tension in American today? What responsibilities do contemporary Americans bear? Are African Americans doing enough with the opportunities they have today? A national discussion of these questions will go a long way to understanding the question of race in this country and will contribute to a great deal of healing and reaching out in all directions. I would also like to acknowledge that in the last 10 years, new scholarly light has been shed on the 20 Jamestown slaves that Peggy has written about. My SearchWarp article discusses the historical documents found and the new information that we now have: "The Two Ships that Got Away: An Update to the Jamestown Story" (swa101891.htm). Congratulations Peggy on another provocative that will linger for years to come. Have a good week!Your comments provoked a series of questions that I not only found intriguing, but important to people of color. Like you, I am among the millions of Blacks who are cognizant of the fact that African-Americans are not doing all they can with the opportunities they have today, especially education. It makes me angry whenever I hear Black leaders such as Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, continue to harp about how teachers are failing our youth in relation to education based on low test scores, etc. However, they rarely talk about the Black community's failure to place more emphasis on education, or the parents inability to help kids with home work etc. Granted, we were once enslaved, and sadly in 2007, many Blacks are still enslaved. But instead of the shackles being on their bodies, they are embedded on their psyche. Hence, wake up Black people, stop playing the blame game, and let's become the confident, educated, and proud people we were meant to be. P.S. Joseph you are a great writer, and I love reading your articles.
Well, I enjoyed your article and your comments to Mr. Collins. Certainly apologies, as I have mentioned before, when given for political expediency and correctness mean nothing. The fact that many are still slaves in this day and age and exploitation and abuse is taking place all over the planet even as we write speaks to apologies necessary at many levels. However, it speaks more deeply to the nature of mankind that they do exist and that apologies must be requested or forced upon abusers rather then offered in sincerity. I do agree with your analysis, an apology or not the offended party carries it with them until the hurt can be reconciled. I also agree that the truly great people [especially of your race] overcame that offense to them and forgave and moved forward. I also agree that your race has so much to give, has given and to be proud of. However, no race can ever walk in the footsteps of another race and understand that which impacts the other. Until we can all get past this we all lose? Also, I too am at a loss as to why as you ask there is so much more to be achieved and it is not? To say racism is dead is to be a fool and certainly against blacks and many other groups at the top of the list and including religious as well. I do believe this. It is easy for outsiders to point and say see and give faults and have their comments rejected. However, it is more difficult for your own family and house to accept what a loved one is saying and take action. I don’t know the answer except that change comes from people who are willing to take the risk and lead and not cow tow to those in power or don't like the truth. I believe you got the stuff that it takes. Good work.Robert: In reading your comments, I wonder how many people are aware of the fact that in some parts of the world, slavery still exists. Unfortunately, if they found out, would they really care? I become upset in knowing that 500 years from now, someone, somewhere, will be writing and/or talking about this same topic. Will they come up with plausible solutions that were undiscovered in the 21st century? Or will they simply shake their head and come up empty? Thanks for A++++ remarks
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