Virginia Apologizes for Slavery....

R

Ragnarok

Diamond Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2006
Messages
2,878
Reaction score
593
Points
0
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070225/ap_on_re_us/slavery_apology

Apparently, Virginia is apologizing for its role in slavery, and to the Native American Indians. It is an interesting article, but, my question is this...why? When is a specific time frame best left to rest? Just exactly how much "compensation" does any group feel they merit? Should we apologize to the Irish Americans, who, during the Civil War when they immigrated into New York, were encouraged to fight for New York Federal armies at lower wages! Do we apologize to the coal miners, who, to this day work in dangerous conditions? Should not Congress apologize to our American children for the state of public schools and lack of funding where we now place 17th out of 23countries, right above Mexico? How about them apologizing to our beloved Senior Citizens for the hideous state of Medicare and lack of prescription coverage often forcing these people to sell their homes to afford care? So tell me Spoofee folks, when do YOU THINK enough is enough regarding this political dancing and meaningless apologetic ploys? :mmph:

Sorry guys...there are so few issues that get up my nose, but this one certainly did. Would love to get me a few old fashion "switches" off my trees and whoop the hides off Congress! Rags now gets off her soap box! :wave:
 
Ragnarok said:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070225/ap_on_re_us/slavery_apology

Apparently, Virginia is apologizing for its role in slavery, and to the Native American Indians. It is an interesting article, but, my question is this...why? When is a specific time frame best left to rest? Just exactly how much "compensation" does any group feel they merit? Should we apologize to the Irish Americans, who, during the Civil War when they immigrated into New York, were encouraged to fight for New York Federal armies at lower wages! Do we apologize to the coal miners, who, to this day work in dangerous conditions? Should not Congress apologize to our American children for the state of public schools and lack of funding where we now place 17th out of 23countries, right above Mexico? How about them apologizing to our beloved Senior Citizens for the hideous state of Medicare and lack of prescription coverage often forcing these people to sell their homes to afford care? So tell me Spoofee folks, when do YOU THINK enough is enough regarding this political dancing and meaningless apologetic ploys? :mmph:

Sorry guys...there are so few issues that get up my nose, but this one certainly did. Would love to get me a few old fashion "switches" off my trees and whoop the hides off Congress! Rags now gets off her soap box! :wave:
Click to expand...

I think, comparing Slavery with Medicare or anything listed in your list is totally wrong.
 
druvans said:
I think, comparing Slavery with Medicare or anything listed in your list is totally wrong.
Click to expand...


Oh no, please DO NOT misunderstand me here. I have never been, nor will be in favor of slavery. What I am doing is showing IMHO that there are other issues of equal importance that Congress SHOULD be addressing in the here and now. The issues that I did state, all demonstrate with equal accord, the necessity to appreciate, and, validate the worth and dignity of humans in general.

Slavery robbed many folks of their rights and dignity. When we neglect to provide for the educational needs of our children, or the medical needs of our seniors, does that not fall into the same category of "lack of charity" perhaps, demonstration of political ignorance? Is not human ignorance slavery unto itself? No matter which way you slice it, no race has the holds bar on human dignity.Human dignity is an "all inclusive club." Congress should not favor one color of skin, over another, apologizing on one hand, and, withholding help to other Americans who have dire needs on the other.

Do you really think that Black Americans need, desire, or deserve an apology?Are they not "courted" on every campaign trail every year? Perhaps, what they would like to see for once, is the same issues being met with zeal and fairness that the rest of Americans need and desire. A few I have stated...better schools for the children, better health care, after school programs, lower taxes to give breaks to our working families, a decrease in the crime rate. How about this one...instead of Congress playing the "penititant sinner" why don't they help the New Orleans Community instead?!?! Do you think the Black Americans in New Orleans are upset about slavery up to 1865 when they don't have housing, food, life necessities and their families are scattered like the wind? Or how about this option, why not increase the PAY SCALE FOR OUR TEACHERS and supply them with the tools and materials they need to teach in the inner city schools, instead of closing schools down and busing these children often miles out of their communities. Isn't that a form of slavery, by binding the teacher's hands and giving underprivileged children scraps from the budget commissions table? I could type on forever.

Whoever said that the color of one's skin entitles them to "hog up" on life's happiness and success? Last time I looked at the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, it encouraged ALL OF US AMERICANS to have a go at life, liberty, and, the pursuit of happiness! What is Congress going to do next, apologize to ME because I got blocked out of certain medical schools in the early seventies on the very premise of my being a female?! Isn't that discrimination and a slavery of sort because women were not given equal opportunities? Now get this......one medical school was "The Eastern Medical College of VIRGINIA!!!" So frankly, the Virginian Representatives OWE ME an apology, I am at least alive and a living testimony to their discriminatory practices! You want slavery, try being a WOMAN and apply for a science grant from NIH, and told you can't have the money because they "can't trust a woman to think logically"!!! The Congress needs to focus on more important issues, period, for ALL AMERICANS. Staring with our children IMHO. Those overpaid morons are just not focused....and they should get on the stick.

I respect your opinion, and, appreciate and validate the same. But look closely, and you fill find that there are still people suffering....white, black, yellow, young and old. My Grandfather use to say to us kids that if we didn't protect our children and honor our elders (seniors) then chaos and division would always be present. Seems to me, many have not learned such a valuable lesson.

Rags now gets off that soap box. We are getting blasted with snow and ice. Flooding is right around the corner. Anyone have a boat ready for me?:(
 
Last edited:
It's time for everybody to GET OVER IT and GET ON WITH IT.

Maybe I should demand an apology for the promotions I didn't get because I'm melanin deficient.

Practically the only group in this country right now who embody the ersatz American ideals of working hard and earning their own way are the illegal Mexican immigrants who haven't been debased by the well meaning idiots who shower them with welfare checks, etc., etc. until they lose their moral compass.

Now I'm going to say something that is really going to make someone mad.....

The following comments do not reflect on every member of any ethnic group. I admit, no I proclaim that I do discriminate. In my world, there are two kinds of people, those who take care of themselves lawfully and honestly to the best of their true ability, and those who expect to be taken care of by society. Both groups are populated by members of all known ethnic groups. that having been said, there is a large percentage of blacks, and a growing number of whites who are still just as much under slavery as the blacks were in Alabama in 1860. These are the people who rely on the government for every morsel of food, every stitch of clothing and every splinter of shelter they have. They MUST do what the Massa in Washington, by way of the Overseers in the local bureaucracy, tell them to do, or they do not eat. They have been told for generations that this is what's best for them.

How is being 'owned' by the government any less demeaning than being 'owned' by an individual?
How is being told 'you can't make it unless we make it easier for you' any different than being seen as a 'lesser species'?

If the descendants of former slaves want reparations, let them come from the descendants of the African tribesmen who captured the original slaves and sold them to predominantly Arabic (yes, Muslim) slave traders.

Learn some history, people, and I don't mean the pap that is taught in schools. Learn who the real slave traders were. Learn where the largest slave auction in America was located. Learn who, and what, Abraham Lincoln really was. Learn why 13 southern states legally left the Union (hint, it WASN'T over slavery).

That's enough, my fingers are tired and my keyboard is creaking.
 
DanC said:
It's time for everybody to GET OVER IT and GET ON WITH IT.
Learn some history, people, and I don't mean the pap that is taught in schools. Learn who the real slave traders were. Learn where the largest slave auction in America was located. Learn who, and what, Abraham Lincoln really was. Learn why 13 southern states legally left the Union (hint, it WASN'T over slavery).

That's enough, my fingers are tired and my keyboard is creaking.
Click to expand...

Amen. Most folks do not realize that the slave ships poured into BOSTON along with bibles and rum. Providence Rhode Island placed second in slave trading. Most folks do not realize that BOTH President Lincoln AND President Grant wanted to ship ALL OF THE BLACKS BACK TO AFRICA after the Civil War during what became known as the Reconstruction Years!! Most folks forget it was the Northern troops who had the most documentable cases of rape against not only southern white women, but, the black women as well. And most folks do not know, that prior to the outbreak of the Civil War, due to the more Pentecostal and Baptist moral methodologies of religion, the Southern States were already trying to figure out ways to end slavery. It never was easy for them to swallow.

Southern states succeeded due to their desire to protect STATES RIGHTS! The Civil War was not precipitated or fought for in the Southerner's eyes over slavery. It was over STATES RIGHTS that were, and, are protected by the Constitution. The North violated the same. The North never apologized to the South for anything, they kept the South under their thumbs until 1871, six years post Civil War until Pres. Grant lifted many a law and sanction.

Funny, I lived in Alabama for a bit while my son went to graduate school. Here we were in "The Deep South" and I frankly didn't see racism. Blacks and whites shopped together, studied together, prayed together, and, lived together. Most importantly respect was given on both sides. Somehow, they figured it out and MOVED ON! No one was apologizing, and no one was calling anyone "Massa." They just wanted peace, and, equal rights. And they were taking steps towards the same. They searched for unifying causes and found them..education, health care etc. Won't keep beating those horses.

The best way to forgive and learn from the past, is to create a better future for all concerned despite race or gender. Do it fairly.....
 
Choochoojr apologizes for everything...

I wish to apologize for everything I have ever done wrong and to everyone I have wronged, since birth. :hug:

NOW I FEEL BETTER :bigok:
 
Last edited:
I AM African American and I have gotten over everything that happened to my grandmother and ancestors before her because I believe in god and the people that did those awful things will be punished in the eyes of the lord. An apology will not benefit the people that were hurt so long ago because they are not here to hear it and the people that did those things aren't here to say it...

People that are on welfare sometimes don't have any other option, but to accept help. I am not speaking of the people who are just looking for a handout, I am speaking of the people who are getting it to better themselves and help themselves until they can get back on there feet and better there situation instead of selling their bodies or drugs. I had a cousin who was recieving assistance, but the whole time she was on it she was going to school, working, and doing the best that she could for her daughter. She is now off welfare and owns several beauty salons, but she never forgot where she she has been and donates her time and hard-earned money to organizations that need it.
 
Joyce, I applaud your cousin, She used welfare as a safety net, not a hammock!
 
DanC said:
Joyce, I applaud your cousin, She used welfare as a safety net, not a hammock!
Click to expand...


Thanks, Dan!!..I was debating on whether to comment on this post or not because I know that there a lot of prejudice people out there (hopefully not on spoofee) that would say she is just trying to take up for her race, but that is not true. I have never met anyone of you and I feel like I know and care for you all and I did not know what any of your race's were. I always try to post in a caring manner in not to hurt anyone's feelings. I enjoy spoofee and the people on it!! :hug:
 
JoyceHarkless said:
I AM African American and I have gotten over everything that happened to my grandmother and ancestors before her because I believe in god and the people that did those awful things will be punished in the eyes of the lord. An apology will not benefit the people that were hurt so long ago because they are not here to hear it and the people that did those things aren't here to say it...

People that are on welfare sometimes don't have any other option, but to accept help. I am not speaking of the people who are just looking for a handout, I am speaking of the people who are getting it to better themselves and help themselves until they can get back on there feet and better there situation instead of selling their bodies or drugs. I had a cousin who was recieving assistance, but the whole time she was on it she was going to school, working, and doing the best that she could for her daughter. She is now off welfare and owns several beauty salons, but she never forgot where she she has been and donates her time and hard-earned money to organizations that need it.
Click to expand...

Bravo Joyce! This is a success story we all want to hear, and, need to hear. Agreed as stated above, why apologize....rather put the words into action, and, make our country a better place for all. In the end, we all belong to one family, that of the human race.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top