“Sterile” Congressional Apology for Slavery Unacceptable
I resonate with DeWayne Wickham’s article in June 23 USA TODAY, ‘Congress needs to make a full confession on slavery” (full article available at http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2009/06/congress-needs-to-make-full-confession-on-slavery.html#more).
He writes
Last week, the U.S. Senate apologized for slavery and the Jim Crow century that followed. But like the House of Representatives, which passed a similar resolution last July, it failed to give a detailed confession of its complicity in this great crime.
Instead, the Senate followed the House’s lead and simply bemoaned the mistreatment of millions of blacks who were forced into slavery from 1619 through 1865. It didn’t say anything about what Congress did — or didn’t do — to aid and abet that “peculiar institution.”
That’s not good enough. For the sake of history and closure, Congress needs to describe the full nature of its offenses in support of slavery and the century-long period of legal disenfranchisement of blacks that followed. Too many people in this country have little knowledge of the legal cover Congress gave slavery. Too few people understand how Congress perpetuated the suffering of blacks long after the 13th Amendment ended slavery.
Apologies not enough
The apologies passed by the House and Senate, and the joint resolution that’s expected to come soon, amount to a guilty plea. As in a criminal case where a defendant cops a plea, Congress should be forced to give a detailed confession of its crimes against blacks.
Let’s assume for the moment that our representatives are really trying to do the right thing and to bring healing for the historical societal wound that has scarred our collective histories, both white and black. If– if that is the case, then it must also be assumed that they are wildly ignorant of the mechanisms of reconciliation and restoration. Their crude attempt at a ‘official apology’ was very lightweight– insufficient, lifeless, powerless– and it could be argued– even offensive to those who have been most deeply affected. Perhaps they should take note of other reconciliation forums that have been helpful in other countries in the world– for instance- the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission. While specific fine tunings and improvements could no doubt be made to the TRC, and a ‘commission’ specifically designed and custom fitted to our context— all ‘apologies’ will carry little weight until — at the very least– a public forum is given to those who have been generationally affected. Descendants of victims should be offered a public forum to voice their families woundings. This is not an offer of healing, or necessarily reparation and restitution– but it is inviting US Citizens to a place where they would be deeply honored and listened to. Minimally, this must be done before any healing is accomplished.
So kudos to Wickham. He finishes his column by saying,
In their sterile mea culpas, neither the House nor Senate have come close to admitting the role those bodies played in the sorry history they now decry. Until they do, their apology is a hollow act of political expediency.And it should not be accepted.