WASHINGTON, July 29, 2008

House Issues Formal Apology For Slavery

Unprecedented Resolution Apologizes For Slavery, Jim Crow

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(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.

Congress has issued apologies before - to Japanese-Americans for their internment during World War II and to native Hawaiians for the overthrow of the Hawaiian kingdom in 1893. In 2005, the Senate apologized for failing to pass anti-lynching laws.

Five states have issued apologies for slavery, but past proposals in Congress have stalled, partly over concerns that an apology would lead to demands for reparations - payment for damages.

The Cohen resolution does not mention reparations. It does commit the House to rectifying "the lingering consequences of the misdeeds committed against African-Americans under slavery and Jim Crow."

It says that Africans forced into slavery "were brutalized, humiliated, dehumanized and subjected to the indignity of being stripped of their names and heritage" and that black Americans today continue to suffer from the consequences of slavery and Jim Crow laws that fostered discrimination and segregation.

The House "apologizes 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."

Quote

Today represents a milestone in our nation's efforts to remedy the ills of our past.

Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, D-Mich, Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus
"Slavery and Jim Crow are stains upon what is the greatest nation on the face of the earth," Cohen said. Part of forming a more perfect union, he said, "is such a resolution as we have before us today where we face up to our mistakes and apologize as anyone should apologize for things that were done in the past that were wrong."

Cohen became the first white to represent the 60 percent black district in Memphis in more than three decades when he captured a 2006 primary where a dozen black candidates split the vote. He has sought to reach out to his black constituents, and early in his term showed interest in joining the Congressional Black Caucus until learning that was against caucus rules.

Another of his first acts as a freshman congressman in early 2007 was to introduce the slavery apology resolution. His office said that the House resolution was brought to the floor only after learning that the Senate would be unable to join in a joint resolution.

More than a dozen of the 42 Congressional Black Caucus members in the House were original co-sponsors of the measure. The caucus has not endorsed either Cohen or his chief rival, attorney Nikki Tinker, in the Memphis primary, although Cohen is backed by several senior members, including Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, D-Mich., and Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel, D-N.Y. Tinker is the former campaign manager of Harold Ford, Jr., who held Cohen's seat until he stepped down in an unsuccessful run for the Senate in 2006.



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Add a Comment See all 285 Comments
by hedonist3 July 29, 2008 9:47 PM PDT
Oh, good grief. How about an apology to the American Indians. How about honoring one freakin'' treathy?!?!?
Reply to this comment
by hedonist3 July 29, 2008 9:49 PM PDT
Oops - "treaty"...

I don''t type well when I''m pi$$ed. I am so sick of the black community''s neediness. Stop blaming something that happened in the past!
Reply to this comment
by demwatcher July 29, 2008 9:52 PM PDT
Why should we apologize for something that none of us did?

There is no longer anyone alive that was a slave in America or owned a slave in America.

The people that should apologize are dead, and the people that they should apologize to are dead.
Reply to this comment
by rushlimpdrug July 29, 2008 9:55 PM PDT

Buncha cry baby wanna be slaves.

Is this the best the House can do?

Reply to this comment
by skyk-2009 July 29, 2008 9:57 PM PDT
Why should we apologize for something that none of us did?

There is no longer anyone alive that was a slave in America or owned a slave in America.

The people that should apologize are dead, and the people that they should apologize to are dead.

Posted by DemWatcher at 09:52 PM : Jul 29, 2008

It absolutely amazes me how uneducated the average Republican is. Now I read the statement and it clearly say the House apologized for Slavery, which the government of this nation allowed and never gave an apology for when they SHOULD HAVE. It also said CLEARLY that the apology was for Jim Crowe and the "Equal but Different" garbage used to keep blacks in their "Place" during the 60''s. Now how anyone could read this and NOT understand it is beyond me. What grade did you drop out of school at?? 6th?
Reply to this comment
by skyk-2009 July 29, 2008 9:59 PM PDT
I don''''t type well when I''''m pi$$ed. I am so sick of the black community''''s neediness. Stop blaming something that happened in the past!

Posted by Hedonist3 at 09:49 PM : Jul 29, 2008

IF we do not learn for the evil and past mistakes, how do we learn? How do we stop the ugliness in the future if someone does NOT go on the record saying that these people who did this horrible stuff were the worse creatures that ever walked the planet? NO I think it was a great thing for Congress to do.. next? Ban the VERY Racist Confederate Flag!!
Reply to this comment
by cusefanjapan July 29, 2008 10:02 PM PDT
slaves would be so dissapointed with blacks of today.with all the freedom that blacks have today they have squandered everything and were actually better off in 1965...blacks should be very ashamed of them selves for not taking care of each other better..

Posted by martha44 at 09:50 PM****************What an incredibly ignorant thing to say. The blacks I know have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. Are you responsibility for the failings of people of your own race? If you are white, do you take responsibility for all the things whites have screwed up (huge budget deficit, Katrina, Iraq War, etc.)?
Reply to this comment
by skyk-2009 July 29, 2008 10:02 PM PDT
slaves would be so dissapointed with blacks of today.with all the freedom that blacks have today they have squandered everything and were actually better off in 1965...blacks should be very ashamed of them selves for not taking care of each other better..

Posted by martha44 at 09:50 PM : Jul 29, 2008

Man I grew up in the South where, if you were black, you could be awoke in the middle of the night by Hooded Thugs, drug out and Lynched. Then at a mock trial the killers would be released. Now how can ANYONE say that Blacks were better off in 1965 is beyond me. I mean how do you get worse off than DEATH? People like you shame me and every American who stood up against the scum that ran the entire south during that period!!
Reply to this comment
by barbaram99 July 29, 2008 10:03 PM PDT
i can say this my family has NEVER owned slaves..Never..We are Mainers..Black folks they were /are always free up there. I am White. I never allowed a black to be beated . It happeded, I was pissed. We are human beings.
Reply to this comment
by rushlimpdrug July 29, 2008 10:05 PM PDT


whenever the blacks wake up
(with ''da ''hos at their side),
they may see that we have ALL become
slaves.




Reply to this comment
by deacon20081 July 29, 2008 10:07 PM PDT
I am American Indian so where is OUR Apology and by the way we want our lands returned.
Reply to this comment
by sistatee-2009 July 29, 2008 10:08 PM PDT
Still waiting for that apology from Pontius Pilate.
Reply to this comment
by bozworth4 July 29, 2008 10:08 PM PDT
Let me see NAACP, Black Caucus, etc: Want to be equal? Forget thes titles and join the HUMAN race. You were never anybodys'' slave. We are all slaves to the rich and powerful that manipulate the laws to favor their agenda. I feel I deserve an apology for having taken monies from me for the last 45 years (SS) and no hope of ever getting and back. "If I have to take a drug test to pay for welfare, the welfare roles should have to take a drug test to receive it" No democrats or republicans, only politicians that would pimp their mother for a dollar, euro, or yen. This article proves what will be done for certain votes. Understand I''m not whinning only venting.
Reply to this comment
by hedonist3 July 29, 2008 10:08 PM PDT
skyk - Pfffffttt.......you''re showing your ignorance with respect to the Confederate flag. There are no slaves today. You may not have noticed.
Reply to this comment
by cusefanjapan July 29, 2008 10:13 PM PDT
All of you people who post about slavery ending in 1865 are seriously in need of a real education. You are probably the same people who think all whites are going to give minorities a fair shake if they come looking for a job because they are now "enlightened". Prejudice is still out there. You can be mad at Affirmative Action all you want but white women are the biggest benefactors of it.On paper, slavery did end in 1865 but in reality it continued long after. You don''t have family members who can tell you stories of unfair treatment but some of us do. Jim Crow is not that far in the rear view mirror. The effects of those policies are still being felt by later generations. I am not making excuses for those who have not seized the broadened opportunities they now have but there are other factors at work. SLAVERY DID NOT END IN 1865.
Reply to this comment
by standlee5 July 29, 2008 10:13 PM PDT
I think it''s a great idea. Long overdue. And let''s just do something. Anything. Reparations in the form of tax credits for business taxes or property taxes or something. The Indians have gaming lets give the blacks, that can actually prove their lineage to slavery, a piece of the pie.
Reply to this comment
by bozworth4 July 29, 2008 10:15 PM PDT
am American Indian so where is OUR Apology and by the way we want our lands returned.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by deacon20081

*** Straight!!! Mail King George II a bill. He will push it thru Congress, and if you will kick enough under the table, probably get it thru before he leaves office. (If he leaves office) But he could declare martial law and take all land etc: he wants. Then the white, black and all other land owners will feel like you do.
Reply to this comment
by hedonist3 July 29, 2008 10:15 PM PDT
deacon20081 - What tribe? Costanoan here. Which reservation? Klamath Falls, OR, here.

We just don''t squeak as loudly as the blacks. "Boo-hoo, poor me." Bullcarp! (Intentionally misspelled.) We would rather take the white man''s money at the casinos.

In the early 1970''s, my tribe and its splinter groups were paid $20.1 million for lands taken -- we were paid at $.02 per acre.

The House does NOT speak for me. I have no apologies to give. Some people, evidently, just need to be "stroked".
Reply to this comment
by mike18881 July 29, 2008 10:16 PM PDT
I''m so tired of all the racist comments, my parents were married in 1945, my dad was black, (NOT AFRICAN AMERICAN, BLACK),I grew up as a half breed. No body owes me or me parents (may they RIP) any thing. I fing this apolgy discusting.
Reply to this comment
by mike18881 July 29, 2008 10:17 PM PDT
I''m so tired of all the racist comments, my parents were married in 1945, my dad was black, (NOT AFRICAN AMERICAN, BLACK),I grew up as a half breed. No body owes me or me parents (may they RIP) any thing. I fing this apolgy discusting.
Reply to this comment
by txgrouch2006 July 29, 2008 10:17 PM PDT
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.
-----------
Oh. THAT''S why. HE WANTS TO HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF NOT LOSING THE NEXT ELECTION.

After seeing the votes for Obama, he doesn''t have a chance. HE''LL BE A VICTIM OF RACIST BLACK VOTERS.
Reply to this comment
by hedonist3 July 29, 2008 10:18 PM PDT
standlee5 - The difference in what you propose and what American natives are doing is that one is working and one just wants the usual handout.
Reply to this comment
by cusefanjapan July 29, 2008 10:18 PM PDT
skyk - Pfffffttt.......you''''re showing your ignorance with respect to the Confederate flag. There are no slaves today. You may not have noticed.

Posted by Hedonist3 at 10:08 PM+ Some of you posters really don''t get it. That''s the real reason why there will never be racial harmony. If I break out a Black Power salute or say I''m a Black Panther, you''ll call me a black nationalist and a racist. That flag was/is the symbol of racial oppression for over 100 years. Many whites fly it in your face so you can know their true feelings about you. I really see that you people don''t and never will get it. Sad!
Reply to this comment
by ragnar30066 July 29, 2008 10:20 PM PDT
The formal apology of the Democratic party for slavery is long overdue. The party that was created by Abraham Lincoln for the express purpose of ending slavery (Republican party) in the face of the opposition of the Democratic party should feel vindicated.

I propose that a special 10% income surtax be imposed on all Democrats for the purpose of reparations.
Reply to this comment
by standlee5 July 29, 2008 10:21 PM PDT
The difference in what you propose and what American natives are doing is that one is working and one just wants the usual handout.
Posted by Hedonist3 at 10:18 PM : Jul 29, 2008

And boy do we LOVE the casinos. The bigger the better and Ihope the Natives all get richer than sh*t.
Reply to this comment
by hedonist3 July 29, 2008 10:22 PM PDT
cusefanjapan - Please do a little more investgating before you post. You just come off looking stupid.
Reply to this comment
by erichsh July 29, 2008 10:23 PM PDT
I don''t think this will completely alleviate the collective democrat party guilt trip. What they need to do next is vote for reparations payments - oh, maybe $100K or so for every black American - and then raise taxes on the rest of us to pay for it. Then they''ll feel better about themselves.
Reply to this comment
by txgrouch2006 July 29, 2008 10:23 PM PDT
Wow, this news item is GREAT!

Next, I hope they''ll apologize to people like MY ANCESTORS, who suffered from WHITE-ON-WHITE OPPRESSION during the Industrial Revolution.

My ancestors were immigrant factory workers in the north. They never owned slaves. They WERE slaves. Wealthy white factory wrokers brought them to this country on promises of a "better life," but they quickly discovered that they weren''t being paid enough to afford their own housing.

White workers had to live in the attic of the factory, called a "loft." As the rich factory owners kept crowding in more and more workers and their families, diseases spread in the overcrowded, unsanitary conditions.

ENTIRE FAMILIES died, children and the adults. THEY HAVE NO DESCENDANTS TODAY because their family line went EXTINCT.

WHO COLLECTS THE REPARATIONS WHEN THE OPPRESSION WAS SO SEVERE THAT THERE *ARE NO DESCENDANTS TO PAY*???

The only reason I''m here to write this today is, my ancestors fled from the factory and went into farming. They escaped from the crowded city and the disease-ridden factory. They survived, and their descendants live today. I''m one of them.

Yes, and apolgy would be nice. Reparations from the descendants of the wealthy factory owners would be BETTER!
Reply to this comment
by bozworth4 July 29, 2008 10:23 PM PDT
I''''m so tired of all the racist comments, my parents were married in 1945, my dad was black, (NOT AFRICAN AMERICAN, BLACK),I grew up as a half breed. No body owes me or me parents (may they RIP) any thing. I fing this apolgy discusting.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by mike18881


I have a "half breed" grandson. Live in a small town in mid-america. I get shuned by some small minded folks in town. I would be and am insulted by any apologies or half lies of not seeing me when they pass me. (they know who I am when their a/c breaks on a 102 degree day) I say you are right and this half baked scheme to woo votes is transparent as can be.
Reply to this comment
by cusefanjapan July 29, 2008 10:23 PM PDT
standlee5 - The difference in what you propose and what American natives are doing is that one is working and one just wants the usual handout.

Posted by Hedonist3 at 10:18 PM + Typical ignorant comment. Check the welfare rolls and see who tops the list (Hint: not blacks). Why aren''t you upset about the government handing out billions to corporations (owned overwhelmingly by whites)who don''t need the money and are exploiting jailhouse labor to make money hand over fist. Typical ignorant posts. At least the natives got some money for their land. When the land was promised to all, blacks were left out of the deal. Go back to the 5th grade and make sure you read an unbiased history book.
Reply to this comment
by estabwary July 29, 2008 10:26 PM PDT
Why it is so hard for government to know they are being hateful WHEN they do it?

These were not choices like picking between combos 1 or 2
on the drive-thru menu at ***-in-the-Box.

These were peoples'' lives.

Apology, schmology. BLEH.
Reply to this comment
by barbjc1 July 29, 2008 10:27 PM PDT
This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard coming out of the US House of Representatives. How many times are we the people to wear sack cloth and ashes over something that happened over a hundred years ago.
Read the National Archives, where the freed slaves were given a choice of either staying in this country and being monetarily compensated or free passage back to Africa. Where do you think the country Liberia came from?
We have bent over backwards for the blacks since the 60''s ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
Reply to this comment
by standlee5 July 29, 2008 10:28 PM PDT
Let''s hope that blacks aren''t the top of list for welfare dollars. They''re only 12% of the population but if you watch CNN you''d think they''re 75%.
Reply to this comment
by txgrouch2006 July 29, 2008 10:29 PM PDT
WHO WILL PAY FOR THE WHITE-ON-WHITE OPPRESSION OF THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION?

WHO WILL THEY PAY FOR OPPRESSION SO SEVERE THAT THERE ARE NO DESCENDANTS TO PAY??? The whole family went extinct - children died first, then the adults.

HAS ANYONE EVEN APOLOGIZED TO THE WHITE FACTORY WORKERS WHO SUFFERED FROM UNSAFE, UNSANITARY WORKING CONDITIONS IN THE FACTORIES AND SWEATSHOPS before the unions put a stop to it???
Reply to this comment
by cusefanjapan July 29, 2008 10:30 PM PDT
Last post... Whites and others like the posters here will never get it. You think you know the answer but you don''t. You have no idea. I have a feeling most blacks don''t even care about the apology. I am not one of them. Anything in the form of reconciliation is a good thing, I think. However, blacks are angry about history and many want to exact revenge and are determined not to let any white control them. The overwhelming majority of blacks I know are successful. But they are seriously distrustful of whites. There''s a reason for that.
Reply to this comment
by arrestbush1 July 29, 2008 10:31 PM PDT
Nobody alive today was responsible for black slavery. Modern day blacks need to realize that todays modern day whites had no control over that and they need to get over what happened over 150 years ago and also what never even happened to them and move on already. The only people that owe an apology are already dead.
Reply to this comment
by sassalin July 29, 2008 10:31 PM PDT
This is insulting. I agree that salvery was not right but it happened. It''s over. The things that are happing to black people today have everything to do with the present not the past.
Reply to this comment
by standlee5 July 29, 2008 10:31 PM PDT
I''ve always been against reparations but at this point I say pay them whatever it takes so they as a race can get over it.
Reply to this comment
by arrestbush1 July 29, 2008 10:33 PM PDT
"Let''''s hope that blacks aren''''t the top of list for welfare dollars. They''''re only 12% of the population but if you watch CNN you''''d think they''''re 75%."


I''m sick and tired of turning on CNN and the only thing on is "Black in America". Hell I''m white and if it were "White in America" I''d be just as annoyed. That program has too much airtime period.
Reply to this comment
by txgrouch2006 July 29, 2008 10:33 PM PDT
BarbJC1 wrote
We have bent over backwards for the blacks since the 60''''s ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
------------------------
I agree - we should stop singling out blacks as if they are the ONLY ones who suffered from oppression.

Look at the Chinese who built the railroad. They were tossed away when the work was done.

Look at the whites who died in the lofts of the factories during the Industrial Revolution.

Look at the Hispanics who were working in that meat packing plant in Iowa that just got busted.

EVERY GROUP HAS BEEN A VICTIM OF SYSTEMATIC INJUSTICE. EVERY GROUP HAS SUFFERED AND DIED FROM IT.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. Let''s START recognizing that harm that ALL groups have suffered at the hands of the WEALTHY. Including white-on-white injustice!
Reply to this comment
by txgrouch2006 July 29, 2008 10:35 PM PDT
SkyFive,

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.
-------------
THAT''S the real explanation.
Reply to this comment
by arrestbush1 July 29, 2008 10:35 PM PDT
"I want an apology that Obama and McCain are the best America can do."


We need Ron Paul! He''s the only man who wants to restore the original constitution and bring back the great America I remember.
Reply to this comment
by rushlimpdrug July 29, 2008 10:36 PM PDT

Apparently slavery is forever.

Now, if they''d like to return to
Africa, they can join the Oprah train.

Oh, bet that is racist.

Of course I''ve never met a black racist.

Reply to this comment
by arrestbush1 July 29, 2008 10:36 PM PDT
Nobody alive today is responsible for black slavery. Modern day blacks need to realize that todays modern day whites had no control over that and they need to get over what happened over 150 years ago. Modern day blacks were never slaves in my life time and need to move on already. The only people that owe an apology are already dead.
Reply to this comment
by jlipster July 29, 2008 10:37 PM PDT
It''s only about the Money!! $$$$$ Mo Money $$$ my tax money...the point is this apology leads to the bigger discussion of how much does Bush pay out? or do they let Obama make it his first call?

either way it will be interesting to see who comes out swinging for the payday...my bet is on Rev Al!! he has tax issues, so he needs the money, he can''t be manipsalated!!! lol....jmo....
Reply to this comment
by rafterman1 July 29, 2008 10:40 PM PDT
===Nobody alive today is responsible for black slavery. Modern day blacks need to realize that todays modern day whites had no control over that and they need to get over what happened over 150 years ago. Modern day blacks were never slaves in my life time and need to move on already. The only people that owe an apology are already dead.===
Posted by arrestbush1

Incorrect. It''s symbolix. The purpose of apologies like these are to show that our country does not ignore our history or pretend it didn''t happen. Too many conutries are in denial about events in their history and these apologies represent the idea that we recognize our wrongs and are determined to not let injustices like these happen again.
Reply to this comment
by rushlimpdrug July 29, 2008 10:40 PM PDT

To paraphrase Jesse Jackson:

"I''d like to cut the nuts off the House"


Reply to this comment
by mike18881 July 29, 2008 10:41 PM PDT
bozwort4: you have to relize that there a lot of supid people out there. My wife an I (she''s white) have been married for 32 yearw.Once again there are a lot of stupid people out there,it''s a matter of pride in your self. Your Grandson is doing something special. Keep it up.
Reply to this comment
by rushlimpdrug July 29, 2008 10:42 PM PDT

"Incorrect. It''''s symbolix. . . ."
Posted by Rafterman1 at 10:40 PM


I believe you meant to say,
"It''s sypholix"

Reply to this comment
by mbievtea July 29, 2008 10:43 PM PDT
Apologize for slavery ... as if the 1,000''s of men who gave their lives for the very thing called the Civil War ... wasn''t enough. I understand the concept, but don''t agree with the purpose they intend.
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