An apology for slavery?

As I'm sure everyone knows, Virginia legislators have expressed "profound regret" for the role Virginia played in enslaving African-Americans. At first, this "apology" did nothing for me and I wondered what the point was. But, I was still happy to hear it as I was hoping it made someone feel better. I also saw no harm and felt pride in my home state for this progressive move. Fast forward a few months and some Georgia Democrats are proposing a similar resolution.

After reading Republican legislators boldly say, "it will never happen" and "I don't owe anyone an apology", and reading locals negate the apology and mock the Black experience (in the AJC's "Vent"), I have to piece together my newfound thoughts on this. So here are my responses to the most common arguments...

"The victims are all dead"

Many of the victims are still alive and represent 12% of our country. Slavery did not end with the emancipation proclamation and its effects are reaching into the future. Current legislators may not have owned slaves but they were definitely around when Jim Crow was alive and kicking. Jim Crow was merely an extension of the same mentality which told people it was okay to enslave Africans in the first place.Take any group of people strip them of their history, culture and abilities to be self-sufficient and the chances are they will struggle for generations to come. Add in 400+ years of slavery, and another 100 or so years of legal discrimination, and another X years of discrimination and racism, based on a longstanding mindset that this group is beneath Whites, and struggle and hardship is all but guaranteed for many years and generations to come.

If we compare African-Americans (statistically) to other groups, I think it's clear what I mean. However, I think education is the clearest example, as it's the root of our greatest divides. Slaves were barred from learning and in some states, teaching a slave (or later African-American) to read was illegal. Once slavery ended, there was legal segregation and the schools were far from equal. Segregation ended the same year my mom was born...not so long ago. Moreover, there were many years of resistance to this and other civil rights issues. Some areas weren't integrated until the 70s! I was born in the 70s! Fast forward to now and minorities are still falling behind. Inner city schools (and others with large percentages of African-Americans) are far from equal. They started out inferior and only got worse.

Therefore, you have generation after generation growing up with low expectations when it comes to education. However, the media and "experts" seem oblivious to this and keep asking "why?" It's evident this is a systemic problem deeply rooted in our beginnings here. Don't get me started on how the slave mentality still exists in the African-American community. Our culture is almost solely based on our experiences here and sadly, a lot of our history has created horrible patterns of self-defeating behavior. We still have kids who think education is not for them and learning is a White thing. Where do you think that comes from?

"Why do you need an apology?"

Personally, an apology won't make me feel any better about race relations in our country. But, I do feel we've treaded too lightly on the issue of slavery and how it still plays into our society. I look at how separating families and restricting education created generational trends, which still exist and wonder how we can honestly say slavery is a thing of the past. I see evidence of slavery embedded in my culture and it's hard to deny the effects. I also look at our attempts to right wrongs with Japanese Americans and Native Americans and wonder why the biggest crime against humanity got brushed under the table. I guess it makes people feel better to pretend it's a thing of the past. Jay-Z's words apply here: "men lie, women lie, but numbers don't." Statistically speaking, African-Americans are still enslaved.

"What will an apology solve?"

I would hope an apology leads to more discussions. I think we spend too much time either being angry over what happened or trying to distance ourselves from what happened and continues to happen. All the while, what happened still affects our country today. Maybe those conversations could lead to a deeper awareness for both Blacks and non-Blacks. I tend to think non-Blacks are less than aware of how race is woven into our society. While Blacks (and other minorities) are sometimes overly aware. We have to find a way for each side to gain an understanding of each other.

I completely understand when people say they didn't own slaves or they weren't responsible for XYZ. I get it. But, I also think many don't recognize that White privilege still exists and how race still matters. I've heard many negative statements, about Blacks, which generalized problems. I've read "those" parents aren't interested in raising kids. "Those" kids are violent or unruly. "Those" people need to get up off their butts. It goes on and on. And I know those feelings are common across the country. However, what I don't get is why anyone would believe "those" people are really so different. We bleed the same blood, literally and figuratively! Therefore, if "those" people are the same, there is obviously a problem. But, we have to admit to it first.

An apology can't change much. African-Americans are an invented ethnicity. Most know little to nothing about African culture or our heritage/lineage. Nothing will change that. Thousands died on the journey here and millions suffered as chattel. Nothing will erase any of the horrors African-Americans have faced since arriving in the US. Nevertheless, I hope small steps, like an apology, will lead to a new direction for everyone.