Senate call for slavery apology meets unlikely foe

Star Tribune ^ | 6/18/09 | WILLIAM DOUGLAS

[Altura Ct.]

WASHINGTON - The Senate passed a resolution on Thursday calling on the United States to apologize officially for the enslavement and segregation of millions of blacks and to acknowledge "the fundamental injustice, brutality and inhumanity of slavery and Jim Crow laws."

The resolution, sponsored by Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, passed on a voice vote. It now moves to the House, where it may meet an unlikely foe: members of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Several caucus members expressed concerns about a disclaimer that states that "nothing in this resolution authorizes or supports any claim against the United States; or serves as a settlement of any claim against the United States." Those caucus members say the disclaimer is an attempt to stave off reparations claims from the descendants of slaves.

"Putting in a disclaimer takes away from the meaning of an apology," said Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss.

Thompson noted that a 1988 apology that the government issued to Japanese-Americans held in U.S. camps during World War II had no disclaimer and didn't prevent them from receiving compensation.

"The language is unacceptable," said Rep. William Lacy Clay, D-Mo., "I'm a reparations man -- how else do you repair the damage?"

Sen. Roland Burris, D-Ill., the Senate's lone black, went to the floor after the Harkin resolution passed and said, "I want to go on record making sure that that disclaimer in no way would eliminate future actions that may be brought before this body that may deal with reparations."

[DB]

In other words, Show me the money.

It is beyond me why these jerks think that I owe them money for something I played no part in.

[SumProVita]

To Black Caucus: NO reparations. Grow up!!!!!

....OR....if you get reparations, then so do I, for the mistreatment of my Irish ancestors who came to these shores, and my husband gets reparations for the bad treatment of the Cherokees and.....(ad nauseum).

[Talisker]

"The language is unacceptable," said Rep. William Lacy Clay, D-Mo., "I'm a reparations man -- how else do you repair the damage?"

How about fighting and dying for their freedom?

[Tarpon]

reparations is the goal ...

I wonder when Obama will apologize for the modern day Muslim slave trade?

[paulycy]

"Putting in a disclaimer takes away from the meaning of an apology slows down the rush to the money train" said Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss.

Fixed.

[2111USMC]

No.

Hell no!

[The_Victor]

I think Jews should sue the African-Americans for slavery reparations.

[doodad]

Several caucus members expressed concerns about a disclaimer that states that "nothing in this resolution authorizes or supports any claim against the United States; or serves as a settlement of any claim against the United States." Those caucus members say the disclaimer is an attempt to stave off reparations claims from the descendants of slaves

That is because you have no claim, now piss off.

[DYngbld]

Anyone who “demands” reparations, should be given the salary that would have been earned by a worker in 1850, in a year. Then returned to there country of origin, and removed of the US Citizenship Would have very few takers I would guess, and the once that did would take a DNC vote with them.

[paulycy]

I think Jews should sue the African-Americans for slavery reparations.

Some of my ancestors were Vikings. Should I be looking over my shoulder for lawsuits from the english speaking peoples?

[BCW]

what about the ongoing slavery out of Africa by Muslims??? what about the ongoing slavery and HUMAN TRAFFICKING of humans out of Asia - young girls and boys for the sex slave industry???

Slavery is not dead - and instead saying, “Please apologize!” and thinking everything is “hunky dory” - we need to be looking at the root of this ongoing problem...

My little girl that I adopted is mixed - and I can tell you that she’ll never hold a grudge because is will be educated properly and not brought up like she is ome kind of victim...

[Abby4116]

My great grandfathers on both sides of the family fought for the Union forces. And the government is apologizing to the decendents of the slaves in MY name? And they will expect me to pay reparations?

One injustice to correct another injustice?

[DYngbld]

Anyone who “demands” reparations, should be given the salary that would have been earned by a worker in 1850, in a year. Then returned to there country of origin, and removed of the US Citizenship Would have very few takers I would guess, and the once that did would take a DNC vote with them.

OK I need more coffee this morning.

[Tennessee Nana]

What about the Americans who voted against the American Revolution and had their homes and lands confiscated by the rebels ???

The new American governmemt kept most of it..

[Fresh Wind]

Here's some money for them...

[libs_kma]

Settle this crap once and for all.

Every US citizen who owned slaves is hereby required to make a substantial cash contribution to everyone whom they enslaved.

Done.

[TSgt]

From Clint Black’s The Shoes You’re Wearing

So many people out running around
Handicapped before they hit the ground
Thinking there’s nowhere to go
Shouldn’t we all be looking for ways
To keep on seeing our better days
We’re not chained to what we know

[ConservaTexan]

While on his recent trip to Latin America, didn’t 0bama recently say something to the effect of, ‘I appreciate your not holding what happened in America when I was three years old against me’? It seems to me that same logic should apply to the reparations issue as well. If anyone remembers the actual quote and context, I would greatly appreciate knowing for future reference.

[onedoug]

...until she goes to college, at least.