The resolution, which is to be discussed in a state Assembly committee on Thursday, expresses "profound regret" for the state's role in slavery and apologizes for the wrongs inflicted by slavery in the U.S.Why NJ? Why would a northern state consider such a thing? Well...
"According to the proposal, New Jersey had one of the largest slave populations in the northern colonies, was the last northern state to free slaves and was the last northeast state to abolish slavery, doing so in 1846. It also allowed authorities to return runaway slaves to their owners."Basically, NJ was late in getting in line with the rest of the northern states. So this is a nice acknowlegement of that old error.
I think it's a nice and overdue gesture. An apology generally makes everyone feel better, the giver and the receiver. This should be pretty cut and dry. Everyone votes yes, a document with the apology is drawn up and read, everyone smiles for the photo-op while singing cumbaya, then everyone goes home. But of course, because it is about slavery it can't be that simple.
"But ahead of the slavery resolution's consideration, Republican lawmakers spoke out against the bid, with one saying it would be meaningless."Who living today is guilty of slave holding and thus capable of apologizing for the offense?" asked Republican Assemblyman Richard Merkt. "And who living today is a former slave and thus capable of accepting the apology? So how is a real apology even remotely possible, much less meaningful, given the long absence of both oppressor and victim?"
Sigh. Doesn't that idiot get the meaning of symbolism...and how powerful that can be. What would it hurt for the state to formally apologize? What would it do except make alot of people nod their heads and say "wow that was nice".
"Another Republican, Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll, said Democrats should start by asking their own party to apologize, noting the historic Republican opposition to slavery.
But, on a current note, if slavery was the price that a modern American's ancestors had to pay in order to make one an American, one should get down on one's knees every single day and thank the Lord that such price was paid," Carroll said. "
Wow. WTF?! Gee, I guess I should be on my knees now. How did this idiot get elected?
Why would anyone be opposed to an apology? This isn't about reparations...just a simple we're sorry. That people would be so hard hearted and offended about an apology is upsetting. It's things like this that make me sad, and lose a little hope for real and lasting progress.
