Wachovia apologizes for historical ties to slavery; Georgia bank cited

Atlanta Business Chronicle ^ | June 1, 2005 | Atlanta Business Chronicle

[PetroniDE]

"We know that we cannot change the past, and we can't make up for the wrongs of slavery," Thompson said. "But we can learn from our past, and begin a stronger dialogue about slavery and the experience of African-Americans in our country. Today Wachovia is a company that is committed to respecting individuals and building an inclusive work environment. We want to promote a better understanding of the African-American experience, including the unique struggles, triumphs and contributions of African-Americans, and their important role in America's past and present. This is a natural fit with our company's strong focus on diversity, education and communities."

Wrong --- They Want Da Money !!!

[cweese]

So when are Jesse and Al going to get on the air and demand money from this bank? Soon, I'd bet.

[blueblazes]

I just discovered recently that some of my distant German ancestors were indentured servants down in Pennsylvania. Think I can get some bucks out of that? I feel really bad about it, my self esteem has dropped to a record low.

[cweese]

Hey, I had some ancestors way back when who were Christians enslaved by the Romans (I think one of 'em even got fed to a hungry lion). I wonder if I can get some money from the Italian gubmint?

[Born to Conserve]

"I just discovered recently that some of my distant German ancestors were indentured servants down in Pennsylvania . . . . my self esteem has dropped to a record low."


Hey, don't feel bad just because they lost their teeth.

[MplsSteve]

I know that some in the black "community" have fingered CSX Corporation for having companies in its corporate tree that used slave labor well over 100 years ago.

It's all about reparations for some in the black "community"...like Jackson and Sharpton.

I hope CSX doesn't cave and pay out a huge chunk of cash or volunteer to set up a "minority sensitivity program" within CSX.

The most I'd agree to is a standard apology issued by someone in CSX's Investor Relations area.

[Irontank]

What a waste of time, money and effort

[clintonh8r]

I've never quite understood how it's possible to sincerely apologize for someone else's trangression.

[AbeKrieger]

Hey, I'll bet some people walking free today are descendants of dead felons. Some of these people maimed, killed, stole, and looted. When can I expect my apology and my forthcoming reparations... granted I am not a direct victim... but society needs to be reimbursed now, and forever.

[Constitution Day]

Cha-CHING!

[ladyjane]

Before Jesse and Al get their money they're going to have to prove that their ancestors didn't own slaves. Slaveholders were both black and white.

[Mr. Jeeves]

Through specific transactional records, historians determined the Georgia Railroad and Banking Co. owned at least 162 slaves and the Bank of Charleston accepted at least 529 slaves as collateral on mortgaged properties or loans, and subsequently acquired an undetermined number of slaves when customers defaulted on their loans.

So I suppose the new bankruptcy reform law requires the descendants of those slaves to report to the nearest Wachovia Bank branch at 8:00 am Monday for their work assignments? ;)

[anniegetyourgun]

It's like fools gold, c8r.

[blueblazes]

You mean I should accept the tooth, the whole tooth, and nothing but the tooth?

[Savage Beast]

The mind boggles.

And this in The Land of the Free!

At the time of the Declaration of Independence, slavery was legal in every one of the Thirteen Colonies. Slavey was finally outlawed in New York State approximately 33 years before the outbreak of the Civil War.

Slavery still exists in many parts of the world, including Africa.

"We know that we cannot change the past, and we can't make up for the wrongs of slavery. But we can learn from our past, and begin a stronger dialogue about slavery..."

Thompson's right.

We can also do everything we can to end slavery in the world today and to prevent it's raising its hideous head in the world tomorrow.

[Savage Beast]

It's a safe bet that every one of us had ancestors who were de jure or de facto slaves somewhere or other.

[blueblazes]

That's an excellent point and probably true. They may have been called serfs or servants or indentured workers, or whatever, but it all comes down to slavery of one form or another.

[ladyjane]

The poor people who ought to sue are the ones who never got on the boats and were stuck in Africa. They were killed outright rather than traded for money by their fellow blacks.

[RegulatorCountry]

What's really the shame here is that Wachovia is named after the Southern Province of the Moravian Church and it's original 100,000 acre tract of land, acquired in 1753 that they called Wachovia (modern day Winston-Salem, NC area) ... Moravians frowned upon slavery, and very few owned slaves. They weren't quite so ardent as their Quaker neighbors down the road at New Garden (modern day Greensboro, NC), though.

Those First Union a-holes are going to run the formerly-excellent Wachovia name into the ground, too.