To Apologize or Not?


by Samantha Schmalfuss - Date: 2007-03-29 - Word Count: 602 Share This!

In both British and American news there has been talk of the respective governments officially apologizing for the slavery that went on two hundred years ago. Maryland's Senate approved a resolution today apologizing for slavery, joining other states that have considered formal statements recently to atone for slavery's wrongs just blocks away from a dock where enslaved men and women arrived in chains more than 240 years ago. Some Georgia lawmakers want April to be Confederate month or heritage month to honor those times and all who contributed to it but is under pressure because of recent talk of officially apologizing for their role in slavery. The British Prime Minister Tony Blair has been avoiding the topic by only expressing great sorrow at the cruelty the slave trade brought. In Britain talk of compensation is the main reason why they refuse to say they are sorry. Some are still waiting to hear those words and some claim they are still feeling the sting from the acts of those that came before us.

In fact a great portion of the western world was a part of the slave trade. Netherlands, France as well as the Danish were just as guilty as the British or Americans and yet it is Georgia and Tony Blair's inability to say sorry for something their ancestors did that makes news. Should they say sorry for something our generation had nothing to do with? Will it help those who were enslaved? The people who were enslaved have long passed on as well as their children. Lord Mayor of Bristol states he cannot actively meet anyone to apologize for the slavery two hundred years ago when they are in fact gone but is pursuing a resolution to officially voice regret for Bristol's part in the slave trade.

With all this going on, what is actually starting the fire? There are organizations and advocacy groups that are fighting for the apology based on, as they say, the ripple effect is still felt according to one such spokesmen who voiced it on CNN. Great Britain got its wealth on the backs of African slaves so therefore an apology is necessary. Does that mean they seek compensation for the wrongs done to their ancestors? Is it even possible under British and America law to collect such a payment after the abolishment of slavery centuries ago?

Being an American, do I have a say in whether the country apologizes or not? I personally did not enslave anyone nor did my immediate family or theirs. Should I have to say sorry to a complete stranger for something I never had a hand in? It is what so many are thinking as Georgia goes into debate over the idea. Many see this as another way for people to be reminded of what happened so long ago but refuse to let go of. People fighting this were not enslaved and neither were their parents so why fight a fight that hasn't had anything to do with them. It is Britain's anniversary of when they abolished slavery and some see it as a good place to start the age old argument. Should the individuals who enslaved others be accountable for what they did? Should they pay a compensation of some kind to those directly affected? Such questions truly do not matter as the individuals who were a part of this dark part of history aren't here to be held accountable. So why have the debate at all? Is there anything that this generation can do for the actions of our ancestors? What do you think about all this? Would you apologize?


Related Tags: slavery, abolished slavery, apologizing for slavery

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