Senate Resolution Apologizing for Slavery
I suppose the saying is, “better late than never,” right? In that spirit, the US Senate has passed a resolution today apologizing for American slavery.
The resolution still hasn’t made its way into the House of Representatives, where such superfluous decrees usually originate, but is expected to be sent there soon. One must wonder about the timing of this resolution, you know, with the President being black and all. I wouldn’t be surprised if Fox News either jumps all over this story or won’t touch it with a 40 foot pole.
The bill was sponsored by Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa. The resolution “acknowledges the fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality and inhumanity of slavery, and Jim Crow laws,” and “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 laws.”
Again, I suppose better late than never. I have this theory that Sen. Harkin had some really uncomfortable conversation with a black person a week before he put this resolution in motion and then woke up one morning and thought, “I’m going to do something about this.” I wonder if Al Sharpton will hold a press conference to accept the apology on behalf of all black people. Maybe Obama will show up. The resolution doesn’t mention anything about reparations, in case you were wondering. Read the full resolution below.
June 19, 2009
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