The Senate passed a resolution Thursday calling on Congress to officially apologize "to African-Americans on behalf of the people of the United States for the wrongs committed against them and their ancestors who suffered under slavery and Jim Crow laws."
The resolution, which passed the Senate in time for Juneteenth, goes on to recognize "the fundamental injustice, brutality, and inhumanity of slavery and Jim Crow laws."
Once approved by the U.S. House, which could come as early as next week, the resolution will be the first time the entire Congress has formally apologized on behalf of the United States for slavery. Six state legislatures -- in Virginia, Alabama, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey and North Carolina -- have adopted resolutions apologizing for slavery, but past proposals in Congress have stalled. In 2008, Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) sponsored a slavery apology resolution that passed in the House but died in the Senate.
The new Senate resolution acknowledges that: "African-Americans continue to suffer from the consequences of slavery and Jim Crow laws -- long after both systems were formally abolished -- through enormous damage and loss, both tangible and intangible, including the loss of human dignity and liberty." But the resolution differs from last year's House resolution in one major detail: The Senate's version includes an ending disclaimer stating that "nothing in this resolution -- (A) authorizes or supports any claim against the United States; or (B) serves as a settlement of any claim against the United States."
Several members of the Congressional Black Caucus expressed concerns about the disclaimer, arguing that it is an effort to hold off any calls for the U.S. government to pay reparations to the descendants of African slaves.
As McClatchy News Service reported:
The CBC members think that the disclaimer is an attempt to stave off reparations claims from the descendants of slaves. Congressional Black Caucus Chair Barbara Lee, D-Calif., said her organization is studying the language of Harkin's resolution.Observers note that it has taken Congress and the United States this long to issue an official apology partly over concerns that such an apology would lead to demands for reparations.
Other CBC members said they've read it and don't like it. "Putting in a disclaimer takes away from the meaning of an apology," said Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss. "A number of us are prepared to vote against it in its present form. There are several members of the Progressive Caucus who feel the same way."
Thompson and other Black Caucus members noted that a 1988 apology issued to the Japanese-Americans held in U.S. camps during World War II had no disclaimer and didn't prevent them from receiving compensation.
As The Root explains:
One of the reasons for the delay was the complicated and complicating idea of reparations for slavery. Some have worried that the existence of an official apology would only strengthen the case for reparations; time, it seems, has just diminished those concerns.House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.) has reintroduced a reparations resolution every year since 1989, but has made little headway with this proposal for the federal government to consider some form of committee to study reparations. But reparations advocates are not going to be dissuaded if Congress passes a final joint apology resolution with the disclaimer.
As the Washington Post reported:
Charles Ogletree, the Harvard law professor who has championed restitution, was consulted on the Senate's resolution and supports it, but he said it is not a substitute for reparations. "That battle will be prolonged," he said.
Randall Robinson, author of The Debt: What America Owes to Blacks, said he sees the Senate's apology as a "confession" that should lead to a next step of reparations. "Much is owed, and it is very quantifiable," he said. "It is owed as one would owe for any labor that one has not paid for, and until steps are taken in that direction we haven't accomplished anything."
I think blacks in this country should have continuing opportunities to catch up with the dominants. The idea of reparation is ridiculous. Many/most? of our ancestors were not a part of slavery. My great-greatgrandfather came from Ireland in the 1850's and joined the Union Army soon after. He was an officer and helped to end slavery. Why should those that weren't here, or helped be expected to pay. Blacks still have more opportunites than their brethren in Africa. Give them passage to Africa if they want to go back! One way only. No more citizenship here.
June 19, 2009 7:25 PM | Reply
I am glad that the United States have stepped up and taken responsiblity for the acts committed against African Americans. It is at least a step toward healing our nations and bettering relationships among blacks and whites.
June 19, 2009 7:43 PM | Reply
enough already , the money is gone do the math
June 19, 2009 11:19 PM | Reply
Major problems...
1) the INS records more people of color had enter the USA as "free" from end of the civil war to 1900..
Just who can prove any slave connection....
2) and just how does congress justify raising taxes on people like Oprah.. to pay reparations..
June 20, 2009 12:51 PM | Reply
Listen to the comments of Greta. And I (Quote) She stated give them passages to Africa if they want to go Back to Africa, one way only!!! Here is a Person that said he ancestors were not a part of slavery, Yet she makes a racist statement about African American. The Fact is that this country was built on the backs of slaves. So if your ancestors was not involved in the slave trade so be it,however today you and your people benefit from what my ancestors have built. So before you open up your mouth, know the facts. Before you say to others about a one way ticket, just remember where you came from. Sometimes ignorance is Bliss.
You can stop the precession of the eqinoxes, 2012
Peace
June 20, 2009 7:44 PM | Reply
This crap has got to stop. There is not a person alive that was a slave or owned a slave. We can't compensate everyone for everything. With all the opportunities available for EVERYONE no one should be complaining. You don't get everything on a silver plater. Besides there are people who do not appreciate what they have, take a look at the news everyday and see who values their citizenship, rights and freedom. There are people who just want it all without working for it and destroy what others have when they could have the same thing if they would be honest hard working citzens. As for paying the slavery decendents this is crazy. Where do you think this money is coming from? Besides you weren't the slave so why should you be paid anyway. Did you earn the reparation No it wasn't you so shut up! Get a life and earn what you want and quit waiting for it to be handed to you. Finiancally we are already in trouble in the country.Where do think this money is coming from, do you think it is poofed our someones fanny? You think we just keep printing money and it is free? It is no different then writing checks when you don't have the money to cover them. We are teaching the country that morales and responsiblity doesn't matter.
June 21, 2009 11:57 AM | Reply
Reparations = Todays's Welfare... They have been payed 100x fold already..!
June 22, 2009 12:44 PM | Reply
A high level Chinese government official asked a friend of mine, "Would you like me to tell you what "fad" in the U. S. bothers me the most"?
"Sure" he said.
The Chinese official said, "The "fad" in the U. S. that bothers me the most is democracy. Once your people find out that they can vote to get money, the U. S. will accumulate such a large debt that the country will disintegrate."
Looks like we are on our way!
June 22, 2009 5:32 PM | Reply