Our Opinions
Apologize for slavery

There are many pressing issues that the Alabama Legislature could address that could have an immediate and positive effect on the state and its citizens.

Apologizing for slavery 140 or so years after the fact would seem to be of little or no value today, some- mostly white folks- reason. Others- many blacks- believe otherwise and say a statesanctioned apology would go a long way toward making amends for 19th century wrongs.

State Sen. Hank Sanders, DSelma, whose district covers a portion of Clarke County (although he is rarely seen this far south), is sponsoring the apology resolution in the State Senate.

While we muse over the real benefit of such an apology and wonder what real good it can be, we have to acknowledge the black perspective on the subjct too. We come to the conclusion that an apology certainly can't hurt and it could even do some good.

The fallout for not apologizing would be far worse. What would it do to Alabama's image for lawmakers to reject an apology for slavery?

It would be awful.

State Sen. Charles Bishop, a Republican from Jasper, worries that a formal apology from the state could open the door for lawsuits demanding reparations.

That fear is probably unfounded but could be addressed with a sentence or two in the resolution saying that it has nothing to do with reparations.

Slavery was a terrible chapter in Alabama's and the nation's history. There were many other terrible chapters too (for instance, this entire state once belonged to the Indians and we took the land away from them and forced those we didn't slaughter to move westward in a forced march called the "Trail of Tears").

We can't apologize for every wrong in history but if this specific apology makes some folks feel better and makes our state look better and be better in the process, we say do it and be sincere about it.

And then let's get back to the issues that can affect our black and white citizens right now and in the future, things like education, business and industry growth, transportation and social service issues and so much more.

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