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I can't accept your apology cause I'm too busy waiting for mine.
Ok, I am sorry if you are?..But hold on a minute, are you black? African dissent? I am not sure the vikings made it all the way to the African Continent.
Not only have you received an apology from Germany, but from Austria. You--or at least the part of you that claims your Jewishness--also received apologies from several denominations of the Christian church. There's nothing wrong with an institution apologizing for atrocities from which they may have benefitted from (or stood in silence while the atrocities occured).
You are right, there is nothing WRONG with an institution apologizing for wrong doings...but as I asked, what is enough?? What can be said that will make anything better?
By the way, I was referring to myself when I said I never recieved an apology for my relatives painful past. But then again, I was not the one who was in the camps.
You are right, there is nothing WRONG with an institution apologizing for wrong doings...but as I asked, what is enough?? What can be said that will make anything better?
By the way, I was referring to myself when I said I never recieved an apology for my relatives painful past. But then again, I was not the one who was in the camps.
I have notice that your question was never answered by the ones attempting to stir the pot. Maybe for them nothing will ever be enough. What a sad way to live.
It is folly to apologize for something that you never engaged in...and ridiculous to expect an apology for something that you never experienced. How many blacks were slaves in the past 50 years in America?
I'm part Irish, when many of my ancestors arrived here they received harsh treatment...some couldn't work...they also were treated harshley by the English...yet I don't see any Irish going around demanding apologies. Furthermore, I never experienced the difficulties that my ancestors did.
For the life of me I just can't understand these "apologies" 150 years after the fact. I think an apology would be used as a starting point for reparation demands. ("See, you admitted it and apologized...now we need a financial apology")
Anyway, I confess to being one of the politically incorrect bunch who cannot see the point in apologizing for something I had nothing to do with to people who were not involved either.
However, I realize that some others may find such a burden an unbearable load to tote. So, for that reason, I would like to offer a compromise/suggestion which might satisfy both sides as concerns the so-called "apology for slavery" issue.
First of all, a collective, legislative, apology is too damn convenient. If someone (be it elected official, editorial writer, or just a guilt-ridden individual) really wants to feel good about themselves, then they need to do something more personal.
To wit, they should stand up in a way which distinguishes them as morally superior individuals sincerely sorry for the actions of their own ancestors. One idea is to write out something along the following lines:
"I (insert full name and address), hereby express my guilt and shame for the historical crime of slavery committed by (list names of each ancestor and/or the relationship as known...for example, my great-great-great grandfather John P. Smith. Or maybe, the entire Jones family of pre-1865 Dallas County, Texas). I further, on behalf of the above mentioned parties, deeply apologize to (insert the name of the group(s) before whom one is groveling)."
Afterwards, take out a spot in the newspaper or on television, and publish/read it for all the world to see. And of course, be sure and send a copy to all living relatives so they will be aware of such a selfless act of public remorse over the sins of the mutual ancestors or family lines.
Meanwhile, the rest of us can be spared an association with such a nauseating and meaningless display of guilt-wallowing and feel-good legislation. Which is the only thing an "official apology" would or ever will be. How ridiculous.
You are right, there is nothing WRONG with an institution apologizing for wrong doings...but as I asked, what is enough?? What can be said that will make anything better?
By the way, I was referring to myself when I said I never recieved an apology for my relatives painful past. But then again, I was not the one who was in the camps.
I, like Kali's Grandma, have also noticed that your question was never answered. Shoot, Penny didn't even address what my being white, male, or retired Navy had to do with any statements I made.
Bottom line is I wish the government would apologize. It won't change a darn thing. Americans had slaves. Slavery was (is) wrong. There are descendents of those slaves living today. America as in instution should apologize.
But... it still won't change a thing. There will still be ignorant white people who could care less and still be racist. There will still be blacks who want to use it as a crutch/excuse in life. What will it change? Will one person say "THAT makes it better... now let me get on with my education and life?"
But.. what the apology WILL prove is that no matter what is said or done today, there will still be those that will find some excuse not to take charge and responsibility of their own life tomorrow.
To all of those saying why are "We" apologizing, why do you feel as if it is you personally apologizing? The government is what sustained slavery and practiced laws way into the 1960's that denied black americans their rights. This is not just about slavery.
My grandmothers, grandfathers, mother and father were born during the Jim Crow, Civil Rights Era so yes they witnessed discrimination and they are still alive. I do not get this whole notion that people are not still alive. Yes they are.
If you feel like you personally have nothing to aplogize for then move on, but I seriously doubt that any of you are in Congress or are going to be visiting the Capitol the day they plan for the apology. So I willl no hold you accountable.
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