share.triangle.com - express regret for slavery? - Comments

Black People, slave trades slavery, etc.

Demarcus Lewis — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 17:11:45 -0500

Hello,
My name is demarcus and I am a 15 year old African American high school student in Texas. Whe i first read your posting above i was overwhelmed with anger and disbelief. At first my intention was to leave a ugly comment and leave the site, but i relized that would do nothing, so i am now commenting your posting. In my english class i am reading a book called Night, written by a jewish surviver of the holocaust. As i read the book and read all the cruel and unusual punishment that ensued i felt sick to my stomach. They (jews) were thrown in ovens, babies killed, people beaten, forced to go hungry, etc. This of course is a terrible event history, and was made even worse in my opinion when i discovered that America new about it, and did nothing to help. However, i believe that the enslavement and torture of African Americans were far worse for a plethara of reasons. First, African Americans were brought to America unwillingly and forcebly by Whites, and to make this matter even worse were shipped to America on a crowded boat refered to in many history and literary books as the middle passage. To futher elaborate on the middle passaege, it was a huge boat that the Africans were forced to ride on. They weren chained and bolted to the walls and floors. They were given no food or water, and were forced to "use the bathroom" were they lay. There was a roughly estimated 20 million blacks taken from their homeland, and half of them died during the journey. However, the worst was yet to come. During the ship,s voyage the black were sold and auctioned off as animals in exchange for sugar tabacco, and other products. The sold blacks were seperated from there families and tribes, and the shipped of to the americas, where they were forced into slavery. To make matters even worse the slaves that worked on the plantationas, were branded like common cattle. The slaves were forced to work from sun up to sun down and had no rights or freedom for that matter. Many times men were forced to watch there on wifes and daughters, and even sons get raped by a white man. To futher that families were seperated if someone offered up a good enough price and the families were broken up. And if a slave put up a fuss or diobeyed their "master", they were hung. Blacks didnt even have the right to read. After 100s of years, and a civil war that blacks were forced to fight (" think on that, blacks were forced to fight for themselves to be enslaved.) blacks were finally free. Or were they, even though we werent slaves anymore, most of the africans couldnt read, or do anything but work, so they had no choice but top continue to work on a plantation for pretty much nothing. After a long hard peacful right to get black people able to vote thw white people said we (blacks) had to pass tests and pay to vote.(If blacks had no education, and no money, how could we vote?) And even today blacks are treated unequally in job opportunitys, law inforcement, etc. Now to your comments, i do agree with you when you say the holocaust was a bad event in history that happened to a race, but i dont think it is the worst. I am not taking anything away from the holocaust, but after it was over the jews who presented evidence of their for-fathers being killed to the U.S. governmnt, they got reperations, blacks have gotten nothing. Blacks are percieved by the media and then government as holligans and bad people wether it be by the music we listen to or the clothes we wear. I myself did some research and discovered that during the slaves being traded jewish people themselves bought slaves. If you do not believe this, look up the man who said it the one time president of the American Jewish Historical Society, Lee M. Friedman. Now when you said we should be happy we are here and if not to go back to our homeland country, that striked me as very racist and ignorant, and I believe the context of the statement was uncalled for. I have said my peace and i hope to get a responce from you sir.

Sincerely,
Demarcus Lewis

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cd1009 — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 20:49:29 -0400

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Yes most definitely. NC should publicly apologize for slavery

rubiasavage — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 01:57:15 -0400

We as a state should accept accountability for the sins of our fathers. It says in the Bible that ye shall inherit the sins of our fathers for seven upon seven generations. And, sometimes even longer. NC's wealth, as a state, has to do with the murdering of thousands and thousands of Native Americans and the exploitation of the labor of hundreds of thousands of Africans, taken from their homeland. Until we as a people claim some responsiblity, as our ancestors never did, then we will carry this legacy of shame and guilt. Our whiteness is plagued by our denial. We are spiritually bankrupt in our lack of compassion for those who are less fortunate. It is the charitable thing for anyone who is Christian, or otherwise, to be a shining example for the emanicipation of all. How many families in our state today, owe a chunk of their wealth due to slavery? Smart white families in NC, as well as SC, VA, and GA, took that wealth, about 120 years ago, and invested it. They are the bankers, politicians, university presidents and other powerful figures running this state. Look around and wake up. Racism is here and it is ugly and we need to wash it clean.

are you serious?

rmpoteat — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 21:47:56 -0400

That post is a ridiculous diatribe thinly masked in racist, self-righteous historical garb. You should re-read this:

We reject language that cites “the injustice, cruelty, and brutality of slavery [and] cites its historical role in perpetuating slavery and racism.” Although some of our ancestors did own slaves, there is no evidence in most cases that they were “cruel” or “brutal” toward their slaves, nor that our ancestors were, in general, racist. Moreover, it is dishonorable to condemn our ancestors for simply living according to the custom of their time.

Have you ever researched the lives of slaves and masters? If you had, you'd never write such ignorant claptrap.

Sons of Confederate Veterans on Slavery Apology

NCSouth — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 14:31:24 -0400

------------ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -----------

9 April 2007

SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS OF NORTH CAROLINA OPPOSE “POLITICALLY-CORRECT” APOLOGY RESOLUTIONS

The North Carolina Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans, opposes the efforts of the North Carolina General Assembly to “apologize” for the historical institution of slavery. Although we do not defend the practice of slavery and recognize that it was detrimental for many North Carolinians of the time, it is simply not possible to apologize to people who are long dead on behalf of people who are long dead. We reject language that cites “the injustice, cruelty, and brutality of slavery [and] cites its historical role in perpetuating slavery and racism.” Although some of our ancestors did own slaves, there is no evidence in most cases that they were “cruel” or “brutal” toward their slaves, nor that our ancestors were, in general, racist. Moreover, it is dishonorable to condemn our ancestors for simply living according to the custom of their time.

We also reject the statement of Linda Daves, Chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party, who attempted to “blame” the Democratic Party for the existence of slavery and segregation. Contrary to her implication, the North Carolina citizen-soldier did not fight to preserve slavery during the War Between the States, but rather to preserve the right of North Carolina to govern itself. Likewise, the Republican Party did not usher in a “period of racial harmony” in North Carolina politics following the war. In fact, many of our ancestors were deprived of the right to vote or participate in government simply because they served North Carolina in the Confederate Army. If Daves truly believes that the state government should apologize to those who have had their political freedom denied in the past, then she should call for an apology to those war veterans who were disenfranchised by the Republican Party during Reconstruction.

At best, these bills (Senate Resolution 1557 and House Resolution 1311) are simply opportunities for politicians from both parties to grandstand and earn points from politically correct commentators and voters who happen to have slave ancestors. At worst, these bills are the first step toward financial reparations to those voters – transfers of wealth from the descendants of slave owners to the descendants of slaves.

After Senate Resolution 1557 passed unanimously last week, supporters of this legislation made it clear that they also do not believe that an apology is possible, and have made it clear that their ultimate goal is reparations. Rep. Larry Shaw of Cumberland County told the Wilmington Journal, “There should be some admission of wrongdoing here, but that’s just the beginning.” He also said, “I’m not going to call it reparations,” although it’s hard to imagine what else he could have had in mind. Sen. Doug Berger of Franklin County went so far as to blame slavery for “higher infant mortality rates among African-Americans, higher rates of HIV infection and less success in school” in the Raleigh News & Observer. These legislators are clearly trying to link the historic institution of slavery to problems in the African-American community today, so that by apologizing for slavery, the General Assembly (and by extension, the taxpayer) will be forced to take financial responsibility for these other problems.

Sen. Malcolm Graham of Mecklenburg County made it clear that the apology is insufficient for him when he told the Associated Press, “I ask the question, where do we go from here?” Graham is undoubtedly insincere when he calls on North Carolina “to have the fortitude to take a look itself in the mirror; the good, the bad, and the ugly.” He, along with Sen. Berger and the sponsors of the slavery apology resolution (Sen. Tony Rand and Rep. Larry Womble), have been instrumental over the years in defeating the Historic Monument Protection Bill, which would preserve all of North Carolina’s history for future generations. Instead, these self-serving legislators only want to examine one facet of our state’s great history – slavery – and have refused to preserve the history of the many positive contributions made to this state by its founders, many of whom owned slaves.

We encourage all House members to vote against HR 1311. Instead of making feel-good, politically-correct apologies, our elected representatives should consider ways to broaden opportunity for all citizens, encourage initiative for everyone, and foster a united people through its actions. This "apology" – while it may seem a nice gesture – is historically off base and violates the sense of personal responsibility that most North Carolinians hold.

Contact: Bruce Tyson, Commander, North Carolina Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans. 2622 Mellwood Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28306. (910) 484-6277. bikerreb@nc.rr.com

---------------------------- END OF RELEASE ------ ---------------------------

Again... huh??

rmpoteat — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 13:49:22 -0400

You are conflating free speech issues (rappers and their misogyny) with an apology on slavery. You make no sense.

talk about lack of historical memory

rmpoteat — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 13:47:10 -0400

Wow. You might want to read some history about native-Americans, indentured servants and slavery before you you start posting.

hmmm....

walkermr — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 01:28:34 -0400

What do rappers have to do with this? Let me think about this for a sec.....you want an apology because white and black people kept slaves, opressing a population for the purposes of making money.

Rappers (who are still alive) make money be degrading almost every part of this society of ours, but especially women.

You're right, we should fight for an apology that's not worth the paper it is printed on.

Or does this mean that after this racism is over? Will slavery be forgotten? No.

Waste of Energy

latrelle — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 00:34:06 -0400

I am black. I appreciate the sentiment of apologizing for slavery, but an apology doesn't make it all better. I'd rather see universal health care in this country rather than some worthless apology. Apologizing for past mistakes---there are hundreds of important mistakes America has made to its own people and overseas. I'd rather have POSITIVE ACTION than a stupid apology.

Slavery- Get over it.

surf1562 — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 20:25:36 -0400

I read this today. NC needs to remember that when Slavery was voted illegal that most in NC went along and complied to the law by Lincoln. I regret that they came here as slaves. Apologize for it no, it was something that most people in the year 2007 had nothing to do with. I am reminded every MLK day that they were abused in a socially unjust way. Each day I get the feeling I owe them something. I owe them nothing. They have the same right as I do, get up go to work and raise a family. If we have so mistreated them then why are they still here. The way they got here is no different than some of the indentured servents. Now they enjoy a much better life than they would in Africa today. Even some of the poorest here fair better than those poor people there. It is time to get over it and move on. This does much like Roots did, open old wounds that will fester, instead of heal. Most of my family was killed by Louie the 16th, they were beheaded. don't think France will apologize to my family. If we owe anyone an apology it is the Native Americans we did steal their land, but they don't ask or demand an apology, they have gone on with life.

huh?

rmpoteat — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 19:02:08 -0400

what the hell are you talking about? What have rappers, in this context of an apology, got to do with an apology for slavery?

Try reading the "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl" by Harriet Jacobs. Then come back and flippantly talk about dead slaves digging themselves up to forgive us.

oh well... pearls to swine....

And who is going to forgive

walkermr — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 15:49:03 -0400

And who is going to forgive us? Are the dead slaves going to dig themselves up and say, "No problem"?

I'll make you a deal. When rappers stop degrading women and apologize, I'll support an apology for slavery. But then again, rappers make way too much money off of it, so I should probably wait till they are dead and gone. Yeah, that's reasonable.

Wow. And racism is dead?

rmpoteat — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 15:13:27 -0400

It's amazing the lack of any historical memory among Americans.

For those of you who say the state shouldn't apologize because slavery ended over 135 years ago.... well maybe YOU didn't own slaves, and maybe there are no slaves alive today, but the state of North Carolina is alive and well and made plenty of money from slavery. Money that is found in many of our public buildings...

I fail to see how a little forgiveness can hurt.

Please Listen

face1294 — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 17:33:21 -0400

We can never rectify the act of Slavery, but I do like the fact that somebody is doing something. I don't have time to tell you all how many ways slavery effects me now, but i will tell you this. I will never forget it nor it's effects on my family. If you think that I'm not effected by it then you are wrong. It doesn't define me though.

$.02 worth

johnwsimpson — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 22:52:33 -0400

Suppose we could arrange with the Devil to have the slave traders and slave owners of early America extradited from Hell so that they could apologize for the consequences of their actions in today's America. Who would they apologize to? Granted, they would owe an apology to today's black Americans. But wouldn't they also owe an apology to everyone else living today in America? Isn't everyone living with the consequences of long-ago slavery? I think so.Consider all those "gaps" we keep hearing about -- the test score gap, the crime gap, the jail gap, the medical treatment gap, the salary gap, etc, etc, etc. Those are all analyzed, sliced, diced, publicized, and spun as social injustices that adversely affect black Americans. But they are certainly not advantageous to other Americans either. It does not benefit anyone to have a significant segment of the black population in a state of social pathology. Yes, it's degrading for the people in such conditions, but it's also a moral black eye and an economic drain on everyone else. I haven’t done the math, but I’d venture a guess that slavery produced far less economic benefit in early America than slavery’s aftermath has cost. Not to mention a war that cost 600,000 lives. All of us are paying for the stupidity and greed of people who lived centuries ago. They are the ones who would owe us an apology if they were here, but of course they are long dead and it's ridiculous to talk of having the Devil produce them to make the apology they owe us. That being the case, I'd rather have my representatives spend their time solving today's problems, like providing the means to levy appropriate taxes for school construction, for example.

express regret for slavery?

ericf123058 — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 17:55:01 -0400

Should North Carolina express its regret for slavery and forced segregation, as Sen. Tony Rand's proposal would do?