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388 Years Later, US House Apologizes for Slavery
WASHINGTON (AP) - The House on Tuesday issued an unprecedented apology to black Americans for the wrongs committed against them and their ancestors who suffered under slavery and Jim Crow segregation laws.
"Today represents a milestone in our nation's efforts to remedy the ills of our past," said Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, D-Mich., chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus.
The resolution, passed by voice vote, was the work of Tennessee Democrat Steve Cohen, the only white lawmaker to represent a majority black district. Cohen faces a formidable black challenger in a primary face-off next week.
The apology comes approximately 388 years after the first arrival of African slaves in the US colonies in 1619, 354 years after slavery for life was made legal in the US, 143 years after the formal end of slavery in 1865, and some 40 years after the end of formal Jim Crow segregation in 1968, and just 97 days before the country elects its first black President.
According to Republicans in the House, they would have preferred to wait just a little longer until "conditions on the ground" improved, but saw the apology as not so much an "apology" but a generalized time horizon during which, should conditions improve, an apology might be considered. But they insisted there would be no timetable for the apology to be delivered. Some House members wondered what would happen to all the good slavery jokes they had stockpiled.
In other news, John McCain showed remarkable consistency with his support of an anti-affirmative action ballot measure in his home state of Arizona. Just another in the long line of measures he has supported like the one to strike down the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, both the Arizona state holiday and federal holiday. (Although he said in New Orleans recently, "My friends, that was a mistake," before dancing awkwardly with elderly black female members of a church group and quilting circle. And he appeared at the NAACP's national convention in Cincinnati, before launching into his latest round of false attacks against his opponent, the first African-American to become a nominee for President. About his appearance before the NAACP, he said in front of a group of elderly white veterans, "My friends, that was a mistake. That was a doozy.")
The House really did apologize today, another mile marker in a long journey many thought they wouldn't live to see. Unfortunately, those to whom the apology is truly owed -- who lived and died under slavery, and most those who lived and died under Jim Crow -- are not here to receive the apology first hand.
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Comments (27)
Who held McCain's umbrella, while he shucked and jived?
Excellent post. Excellent point.
July 30, 2008 1:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
As the US cruises at a glacial pace to recognize the wrong, Bill O'Reilly still thinks Black folks should say a thank you for slavery.
July 30, 2008 1:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
Truth is that a trillion apologies wouldn't begin to be enough. We know that.
While I will not take responsibility for what my ancestors or others did in the past, I can only acknowledge the horror of their actions. But, I do take responsibility for my actions in all thoughts and deeds.
I was blessed because my mother raised me in an environment that promoted equality for all and to always stand up and speak out whenever someone was treated as less because of color, gender, race and/or religion, social status, etc.
All I can hope is that those extending their apology today were sincere and recognize that to be better, we have to do better. And we have to do more and with greater energy.
I am sorry to say that I have come to believe Senator McCain is a bigot. Unfortunately, most bigots are unable to feel shame or regret. And ladies, I've never known a bigot who wasn't a chauvinist.
Thank you for posting this and rec'd.
July 30, 2008 1:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
US colonies in 1619? 354 years after slavery for life was made legal in the US? You know the US is not nearly that old...
July 30, 2008 5:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
Perhaps you might have nussed a few days in school during Black History Month (or Week depending on your age.)
Let me help a little:
(From Wikipedia, that free encyclopedia of the Interwebs, an article on Slavery in America):
July 30, 2008 7:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
"you might have nussed..." was meant to be "you might have missed...
July 30, 2008 7:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
Colonial America is not the same thing as the United States. And no doubt you have noticed the careful phrasing "within the boundaries of the present United States".
I'm not disagreeing with your point, just your inaccurate formulation. For what happened in 1619, you can't realistically blame a country that was founded 150 years later.
You could (should?) blame the Dutch and English. And it might be an interesting exercise to compare when they abolished slavery (1830s in British colonies, 1863 in Dutch) and when they apologized for it (at least in the case of the UK, not long ago).
July 30, 2008 8:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
Most if not all of the colonies had their own legislatures. By-and-large, those legislatures were pretty much left to do their own thing*. Their laws were subject to being overridden by the Privy Council back in London, but I don't know if that every happened. So if a colony wanted to outlaw slavery, they could have done it, and there's a good chance it would have stood.
*I read a book recently, I forget the title, about the Seven Years War that focused primarily on North America (aka the French & Indian War). The author asserted that, except for trying to collect customs duties, England/United Kingdom's colonial policy for the first 150 years or so was largely one of benign neglect.
July 30, 2008 9:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
I guess British "colonial" policy WRT Canada or Australia has a long tradition.
July 30, 2008 10:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
Let us make a larger point: there would be no United States of America without the forced labor of African slaves.
Minimize the timeline, but what started in 1619 was apologized for in 2008.
July 30, 2008 11:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
You mean 1998.
July 30, 2008 1:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
With great respect I am always at a loss to understand why an apology at this late date is anything other than an empty gesture given only as a placebo to make some people feel a bit better without doing anything meaningful to address the situation created by the now apologized for slavery and it's aftermath. It seems to me a pathetic offering that accomplishes absolutely nothing. You rightly point out that those most egregiously impacted by slavery and segregation are no longer with us.
I would think some form of real live action far preferable than an insincere apology offered by voice vote instead of roll call.
July 30, 2008 10:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Great Post Jade...
Well researched and well written.
3rd Gen AA Removed.
July 30, 2008 8:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
President Clinton apologized for the nation's crime of slavery when he was in Africa in 1998.
July 30, 2008 9:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
Great. Your point?
July 30, 2008 1:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Truth - what else are we here for?
July 30, 2008 2:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
In the 19th century when slavery was still legal in the South, it was not uncommon for free northern blacks to have their status questioned. Even free-born blacks were questioned as to whether they were a fugitive slave. The Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 basically reinforced that no black person was above suspicion.
Fast forward to the 21st century and we still have that same institutional prejudice of no African American being above suspicion. It is sad that African American parents have to teach their sons the proper way to respond to police officers when they get pulled over for no reason (and they will). Why? Because the parents want to keep their sons from getting arrested for "resisting" and to keep them from getting shot.
While this country should be apologizing for slavery, we should also be apologizing for allowing the spectre of slavery and all of the immoral and disgusting laws and attitudes that supported it to continue to fester in our society.
We did not solve the problems of slavery simply by banning its practice. We left so much undone. I hope this will get the country talking so we can recognize how much work really remains to be done.
July 30, 2008 11:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
Which speaks to the apology for Jim Crow segregation which kept blacks from participating fully in what might be called "mainstream" society. Although slavery ended the ownership of one man over another, the de facto "slavery" of Jim Crow and the de jure restrictions which kept the races apart -- ratified by Supreme Court cases like Plessy v. Ferguson, poll taxes, real estate convenants and restrictions, miscegenation laws and more -- brought back all the restrictions of slavery (to African Americans) and all of the benefits (to white Americans) with none of the messy "ownership" stuff.
July 30, 2008 11:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks, Jade.
Apologies don't undo a past harm. It just gives acknowledgment to trespass. Which we know is hard to get people to understand.
It's another starting point. With a long awaited exhale.
July 30, 2008 11:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
"Jade 7243",
Few if any U. S. House members are truely in touch with the great masses of their constituents. Most have demonstrated over and over a lack of courage and conviction; a strong inclination to favor to lip service over performance and a tendancy to tell everyone what they want to hear; and, a decided weakness for corruption of one kind or the other. Every one of them, let's face it, are liars.
Their action as a body simply cannot be taken as a sincere expression of their true individual feelings or attitudes. Rep. Cohen's resolution is clearly not coincidental to his personal goals.
You may have noticed that even here, posters have ascribed the evil of bigotry and slavery to some others or placed responsibility in the "we" context.
Therefore I wish to be the first on this thread to apologize to you personally for slavery, for Jim Crow and for every aspect of economics culture and politics, here in America and around the world, that has caused the broad range of injury and exclusion blacks have had to endure for much longer than 350 years. I apologize personally, too, for my part in the failure to make things right. I have tried in many ways and many times but I acnowledge that I have made pitiful little difference - and I know I could have done much more.
July 30, 2008 1:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Richard,
When I first read your apology, my reaction was -- as it sometimes happens here on TPM and similar blogs -- a bit, um, skeptical, if not cynical. I confess: I read, thought there had to be a catch or a trick, and read again from a defensive posture.
But I found nothing to be defensive about. And your comment reminded me of a different apology -- an offer extended to South Africans from other South Africans regarding apartheid, as part of the truth and reconciliation commission hearings. I was reminded that to get over the terrible wrongs of apartheid and to elect Nelson Mandela the first President of South Africa when all of her citizens were finally free, there had to be trust.
I don't know you personally, Richard. We are connected by being on this planet, in this country, at this time. We may have had ancestors who paths crossed. Neither of us is slave nor slaveholder, although we have both reaped the benefits and borne the burdens of that legacy. Your apology is accepted in the same spirit in which it was tendered, in the hope that one by one we can bring to a close (but not forget) that chapter of history, and heal the wounds that divide us. You have done the hardest thing -- extended a hand. I take it.
Thank you.
July 30, 2008 5:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank goodness for the CBC! If they weren't there, there would hardly (with a few exceptions) be a backbone in the House.
Good post Jade.
July 30, 2008 2:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
AND THEY (slave holders) ALL CARRIED BIBLES
July 30, 2008 3:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
THIS IS THE COUNTRY BUILT ON CHRISTIAN VALUES
July 30, 2008 3:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
HOW COULD MAN GO SO WRONG AS TO LET THIS HAPPEN?
July 30, 2008 3:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Christians used to seal up people in tar-coated barrels, set the barrels on fire and roll them down hills!
Things evolve, society evolves, we're moving forward however slowly.
Its a long march out of the darkness of human inhumanity.
July 30, 2008 5:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Jade7243,
I don't blame you for being skeptical and I even recommend it as a general state of appreciation save for matters of romantic love (where I suggest it is less than useless). But it seems to me there is 'way more than enough cynicism on this blog and everywhere else so I hope you can hold that in check.
I guess I intended to make a couple of points.
Apologies must be made one-by-one, I personally believe, or they don't count for much. I'm surprised it means anything to you at all that the House or, say, the South Carolina legislature apologizes for anything except their bodies' collective failures and bad behavior...and then only if they demonstrate genuine repentence...and I am certainly skeptical of the motivation in this particular case.
My initial response to your post was not particularly positive at first, either, and several of the posts that followed didn't help my attitude much. I'm pretty weary of the self-righteous deflection and blame regarding the state of things that I see so much of here.
Then I realized: (1)that of course it didn't matter whether Congress' apology held meaning to ME; and (2)that I could, by example, suggest we each apologize for ourselves...as opposed to celebrating how liberal and enlightened we are and how awful this person or that group.
I'm pleased if my apology helped salve your feelings, Jade7243, even if just a litle. It was honest and sincere, and not at all hard to do.
I don't know how close together we are on a lot of issues. I'm certain we disagree on many. But we apparently share the appreciation that if we don't suspend our distrust of, and accusations and recriminations toward one another...and if we aren't each able to acknowledge or share of responsibility for our problems... we aren't going to be moving very far anytime soon.
July 30, 2008 11:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
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