US House of Representatives to apologize for Slavery

THANK U 4 YOUR NICKELS AND DIMES. BUT THE TRUTH OF THE MATTHER IS THAT WE'RE NOT EVEN CLOSE TO ANY CHANGES WHEN IT COMES TO JUSTICE CONCERNING BLACK PEOPLE. AND ON THAT NOTE, I THINK THAT THERE ARE BETTER THINGS A POLITICIAN CAN USE TO SWING A VOTE. AND NOTE JUST KISSING BLACK PEOPLE'S A------.

Hmm. Color me skeptical, but I guess an apology is a step in the right direction. Ok, now if you really want me for a 2nd date, let's introduce some policy that addresses the still widening gap between healthcare, education, employment, etc that still affects so many minorities and women in our country today. If you really want to bring this country together, let's make it fair for everyone. Say what you will, but the inequality that was there back then is still here. Start there and you got me...

I really don't understand how this will change anything or assuage the plight of my African Americans today; merely, apologizing won't heal any wounds, for such will be of no substance. I'm pretty young and all, but I think that more is required to make America a better place, not just for blacks, but for all Americans. We need to abolish the racism/misconceptions that, though unequal in magnitude, happens on all parts of the racial spectrum in this country: you know, no matter your race, that you've probably had some sort of discussion with other you race, or another, in which you defamed another race because of whatever reason. This needs to stop we need to stop thinking of ourselves as races--I think stop refering to us as that--and acknowledge that we are in fact all part of one electric human race.
As for the ways government can aid black plight, I think a good think to do with those reparation payments is to use them to build up all the damaged black infrastructures(mainly schools, communities and the like) across the country; this may induce a minute addition to our deficit, but it will create more jobs and eventually help pull us out of the economic crisis we are facing right now. And those improved communities, which will drastically ameliorate many of atrocious statistics about blacks in America today, will serve as the best apology. This will take time, for according to Cornel West, or at least what I have deduced from his writings lol jk, these black communties will need some time to heal and then develop those cultures that will foresee auspicious future. Clearly, the substantial thing to do to aid blacks communities economically which will in turn improve their culture and support systems and free them from the impasse of poverty.
However, white racism and oppression should never fully blamed for the problems facing black today in this country. Better yet, if nobody blamed anybody and just treat everyone as they'd like to be treated that, things will get a bit better for all of us here.

About time.

But don't expect it will help African Americans any more than the empty apology last year did for American Indians.

Easy for Congress to give an empty apology.

Why doesn't Congress do their job and legislate to do simple things that will actually help people of color, rural whites, Indians and the over 38 million people living in poverty in America?

If Congress can waste their time on meaningless apologies with no promise of action, why haven't they ended the Iraq War, stopped the housing crisis, controlled speculators inflating the cost of gas, ended subsidies to fossil fuel companies making obscene profits, and stimulated jobs in inner cities, reservations and rural communities that would have an immediate positive impact on African Americans, American Indians and people living in poverty?

Every last congress person and senator, starting with Speaker Pelosi and Senate Majority "Leader" Harry Reid, and, including Obama, McCain and Obama should be voted out of office next election for refusing to do the will of the People (70-80%) to stop the illegal Iraq War, restore our Constitutional Rights and Freedoms, stop spying on U.S. citizens, cease torture, and curb the amassing of power for the Executive Branch by the Bush/Cheney Cabal.

So we can expect an apology to the Middle East in, oh, about 200 years.

Sorry to burst everyones bubbles,but remember its an election year.These are the same people who recently refused to help low-income and minority Americans with energy expenses.And guess what....they don't really mean it anyway.They want your votes and that's it.

I would like to know a list of congressmen and women who vote against apologies like this...

No one seems to realize that we're one of the only countries that realizes it's past evils. Be proud to be an American.

a good message, but you know that most of them only care about this vote for next time they are up for election. I can see the campaign commercials now.

Now if they can also hold police accountable for their tasers , trigger fingers, police racial profiling, employers for discrimination of Black and Latino males and females, and the underfunding of education in urban and rural areas...we will be getting somewhere...but this is a start.

This has nothing to do with a political ploy..it is about how the legacy of slavery...to industrialization led to segregation and white flight...which led to segregation and poverty...and all came form the same source..racism..its about moving this country forward. Im amazed at how many people are almost offended at these politicians for once doing the right thing.

by the way I dont care what party someones in as long as they arent motivated by racism, classism, and devoted to a free market economy and providing opportunities for all Americans..especially those under privlaged and under resourced ( which excludes those who voted for outsourcing..Repubs and demos.)

it is about time!!

apology accepted... now how about you re-write your history books while you're at it?

This is a step in a direction that means . . . wait. This is nothing. Important, yes, but constructive and imperative it is not. This should have been done a long time ago.

It's nice to see our country's leaders have once again reached steps 8 and 9 of their 12 step program of making reparations to yet another group of people on whose backs our supposed great nation has been built. Unfortunately, this usually required another offensive chapter added to the glorious history of a country that seems only to flourish from the travails of the next ethnic group who’s turn it is to have to answer to the Man. I can't believe the government thinks another Congressional apology to another disenfranchised group of people is sufficient acknowledgement of egregious actions they once supported and now, with a stroke of the Presidential pen, can put behind them so they can get back to polishing chairs with their asses.

Man’s inhumanity against man never ceases to amaze me, considering that constructive instead of misguided efforts would reap far more beneficial results in today’s society, making apologies like this unnecessary. Prejudices & racism are taught-ask any blind man. Our gov’t needs to lead by example while we as citizens need to act righteously, here & now, treating each other as we wish to be treated-fairly & humanely. “Imagine all the people living life in peace…” ~ John L.

Apology accepted....now can we get to work fixing up the communities that house the decedents of slaves...that's the true apology.

gee i wonder why this came up suddenly while a black persons running for pres... ?hmm...

Ok seriously, how about an apology to people who have been hurt recently, ones who are alive?

Maybe people accused of terrorism, homosexuals, blacks from Segregation period... those are way more meaningful.

If they hold a vote condeming slavery in past and present then that would be meaningful, oh and perhaps voting to end the war..I mean I could go on. But Congress is supposed to focus on the present peple of america and their future. Spending time to vote for an apology on an act commited 150 years ago and is not effective on anyone currently is a waste of our votes.

They need to spend this time voting on current issues.

apology without reparation is pointless...

what about the countless wrongs outside of the US that the government has done...the millions and millions killed at the hands of american soldiers and politicians...

philippines...one million died during the US occupation in the early 1900s...apologize much?

No, but seriously. I am glad this step is being taken but I find it ludicrous that it's the type of action that requires a "vote," by a body of the government that is predominantly comprised of whites.

Have we no class and grace in America ... Why does one need to vote on such an obvious, necessary, overdue action?

The apology toward Native Americans was voted on earlier this year in the Senate and still has not made its way through the House. Gee, when that finally goes through I'm sure the Native American population will really feel like they were a priority.

Finally, racism is over.

im sorry ... but havent i heard about this anywhere but the current?

like this is true Bs....

anyway... i dont really see how this "apology" changes anyhting... i mean Yes slavery was a bad idea and dick move on the US gov't's part.. but no slaves exist.. nor do the officials that endorsed and enforced these things...

its like killing someone... then living a nice life... and die... and have your great-great grand kid apologize on your behalf... the kid doesnt care.. he doesnt even know him... neither do the people... b/c they know that kid has nothing to do with any of this....

and on another point of view... apologizing?
wtf... slavery was more than a century ago... after that we have done a lot more damage abu-ghraib, guantanmo bay and possibly other camps... where the fuck is the apology for that?

i mean... RIGHT now.. is current... its like Bush should apologize NOW for his mistakes (and i know i wrote mistakes.. dont flame for it) not a hundred and fifty years later...

This apology is important because slavery was the beginning of a white supremacist ideology claiming black/minority inferiority. This ideology was and is the basis for gentrification, racial profiling and education inequality; and without this apology we cannot move on.

And for those of us who wished the government would move on to "real issues", please take a look at Patricia Hill Collins' theory of Intersectionality. All oppression is connected. Our struggle against global slavery cannot be complete unless we admit to our own shit.

That's nice that they're finally going to apologize for the horrible stuff our ancestors went through in the 1800's. It sucks, though, that injustices have never ceased. Industrialization, gentrification, racial profiling, and straight-up hatred continue to plague us. Where's TODAY'S apology?

Affirmative action seemed to be apologetic enough.

I don't know what to think, but I never any black people complaining about not hearing an apology for something that did not happen to them.

The set backs of slavery are now cultural, not institutional to my knowledge (opportunity for enlightenment).

An apology is huge, and i fully support the payment of reparations in the form of reform in our social policies, actual help for the people who really need it. We need to break down the social constructs which continue to enslave the black, and other minority populations to this day.

i think the apolgize is well overdue..

Good thing Congress is keeping busy on important issues like this instead of wasting time worrying about insignificant things like the war, the economy, gas prices, you know, frivolous things like that. No wonder their approval rate is so low.

Did anyone that's alive today have anything to do with slavery?

In that case, it tragically just looks like a political ploy from the Jewish guy to get black votes because he's running against a black opponent in a majority black district.

Disgusting.

It goes without saying that slavery wasn't fair to the generations that ACTUALLY ENDURED IT. Last time I checked, there is a black guy running for president, and the beauty of it is he isn't concerned about his race, so I'm pretty sure slavery is a non-issue at this point.

We're all slaves to the dollar and our bosses.

Fine, if you want to create an Indian-type bill apologizing for slavery, that's a good thing, BUT THIS IS NOT THE GUY to be doing it, AND DAMN SURE NOT AT THIS TIME.

It completely ruins any nobility in the action because this jerk off appears to just be pandering for votes.

Even of he's not (yeah right), by circumstance alone, he's pandering for votes, and that is just an insincere slap in the face to everyone that legitimately supports such an action.

Christ ya'll, aren't there any decent men in Washington anymore?

If he really believes in it for the right reasons, he would be doing it in a non-election year. Not to mention, with all the problems facing the future of this country, why the hell does he have the time to address things like this in the first place?

So, you can't do your job, so you're just going to distract the voters by changing the subject in such a patronizing way?

God, the nonsense just doesn't stop does it?

I say vote the bastard out on principle alone and then apologize for slavery when it's a non-issue and everything else in the country that is part of the job description is completed with A+ effect.

Priorities not pandering!

what does "sorry" mean?

that you'll never do it again?

google: "prison-industrial complex"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prison-industrial_complex

In my younger days, I would have balked at this seemingly hollow apology. However, I feel that this gesture is extremely IMPORTANT. The public will, hopefully, discuss the issue and the REASON for the apology. The views will vary, but there are some undeniable two facts: 1) Slavery was wrong. 2) Slavery was the foundation of America.

Slavery must be addressed as a resolved issue and why this legalized condition crippled African Americans for generations. This is not an excuse for the current condition of African Americans, but it is an explanation.

In other way too little, way too late news...
People who didn't do the deed apologizing to people who weren't slaves? They should be apologizing for all the terrible shit they are doing to the sick and the poor as we speak.

Im so tired of my people keep marching up and down the street over damn words. We need to stop using or resourses for bullshit and put our energy into something real, like wars in africa, Global warming, helping stop crime, making the world a beter place. I still cannot believe they held a damn ceremony to bury the word "nigga". they spent all that publicity and time and effort to bury a word when they rest of the world is burying their family and friends all over the world. We need to wake the hell up soon. Now, im not hating on my people. but they make me so damn angry fighting for apologies when the world is going to shit.....

But, I digress The republicans are not going to get our votes for a simple apology for slavery....

Which slavery are they apologizing for? the civil war slavery or modern day?

Sorry for the Native Americans, the Hawaiians, the Japanese, the Irish, the Jews, the Mexicans, the Arabs, the list goes on and on, America is a great country but it does from time to time really mess people up

Kind of ridiculously overdue.

Better late then never I guess.

wow still appologizing huh?

i thought you know by now they would let it go i mean it did happen like over 150 years ago.

im just saying

Why are they apologizing? No one alive today was a slave in the 1800's.

Pander bears. Guess what? Black folks are not going to vote Republican, no matter how many "I'm sorry's" there are.

At this point, I'd rather have the 40 acres and the mule.