Comments on: Senate Apologizes for Slavery: 219 Years Late http://www.racismreview.com/blog/2009/06/21/senate-apologizes-for-slavery-219-years-late/ Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:03:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Why do we want apologies for racism? « Nina's Blogging http://www.racismreview.com/blog/2009/06/21/senate-apologizes-for-slavery-219-years-late/comment-page-1/#comment-8116 Why do we want apologies for racism? « Nina's Blogging Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:01:20 +0000 http://www.racismreview.com/blog/?p=2572#comment-8116 [...] The apology does matter because at the end of the day, it’s some kind of acknowledgment for the wrong that’s been done, an utterance that allows for possible reconciliation and moving forward. Perhaps I am conflicted because hearing official apologies feels so insufficient and yet still necessary. Perhaps it’s angering that these official apologies don’t allow for the affected communities to say “I don’t accept your apology.” No, instead they are expected to move forward, to seek reconciliation as per the request of the very institution that was built on injustice and discrimination. [...] [...] The apology does matter because at the end of the day, it’s some kind of acknowledgment for the wrong that’s been done, an utterance that allows for possible reconciliation and moving forward. Perhaps I am conflicted because hearing official apologies feels so insufficient and yet still necessary. Perhaps it’s angering that these official apologies don’t allow for the affected communities to say “I don’t accept your apology.” No, instead they are expected to move forward, to seek reconciliation as per the request of the very institution that was built on injustice and discrimination. [...]

]]> By: Rich http://www.racismreview.com/blog/2009/06/21/senate-apologizes-for-slavery-219-years-late/comment-page-1/#comment-8073 Rich Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:07:48 +0000 http://www.racismreview.com/blog/?p=2572#comment-8073 agreed: no surprise in the "apology" which actually restates white supremacy in the muted tones of a white racial frame reworked in the face of struggles for equality and inclusion. although unique for its visibility and sentiment, something we might find in the spectacle surrounding michael jackson's death as well, the resolution reminds me of the ubiquity of white racism and its distinctive impacts. some in congress have proposed apologizing to native americans as well, but again without a true grasp of settler colonialism and no attention to structural changes that might begin to ameliorate the force of anti-indian racism. agreed: no surprise in the “apology” which actually restates white supremacy in the muted tones of a white racial frame reworked in the face of struggles for equality and inclusion. although unique for its visibility and sentiment, something we might find in the spectacle surrounding michael jackson’s death as well, the resolution reminds me of the ubiquity of white racism and its distinctive impacts. some in congress have proposed apologizing to native americans as well, but again without a true grasp of settler colonialism and no attention to structural changes that might begin to ameliorate the force of anti-indian racism.

]]> By: Shari http://www.racismreview.com/blog/2009/06/21/senate-apologizes-for-slavery-219-years-late/comment-page-1/#comment-8071 Shari Fri, 26 Jun 2009 07:39:01 +0000 http://www.racismreview.com/blog/?p=2572#comment-8071 And so the legacy bearers offer a watered down apology for slavery and continue oblivious and silent to the original and continuing genocidal bloodbath that acquired the land which made slavery possible and necessary. No surprises here, business as usual. Meanwhile nuclear energy proposals continue while the birth defects and cancer from uranium mining continue to annihilate native populations. And so the legacy bearers offer a watered down apology for slavery and continue oblivious and silent to the original and continuing genocidal bloodbath that acquired the land which made slavery possible and necessary.

No surprises here, business as usual. Meanwhile nuclear energy proposals continue while the birth defects and cancer from uranium mining continue to annihilate native populations.

]]> By: Michael http://www.racismreview.com/blog/2009/06/21/senate-apologizes-for-slavery-219-years-late/comment-page-1/#comment-8070 Michael Fri, 26 Jun 2009 07:26:38 +0000 http://www.racismreview.com/blog/?p=2572#comment-8070 Hey, have you seen this news article? <a>New details about Michael Jackson's Death Emerge</a> I was wondering if you were going to blog about this... Hey, have you seen this news article?
New details about Michael Jackson’s Death Emerge
I was wondering if you were going to blog about this…

]]> By: Wednesday Blogaround « The Gender Blender Blog http://www.racismreview.com/blog/2009/06/21/senate-apologizes-for-slavery-219-years-late/comment-page-1/#comment-8035 Wednesday Blogaround « The Gender Blender Blog Wed, 24 Jun 2009 04:21:26 +0000 http://www.racismreview.com/blog/?p=2572#comment-8035 [...] A very long overdue apology – Senate Apologizes for Slavery. [...] [...] A very long overdue apology – Senate Apologizes for Slavery. [...]

]]> By: Womanist Musings…. » Russell Simmons says Government…. | Total Info http://www.racismreview.com/blog/2009/06/21/senate-apologizes-for-slavery-219-years-late/comment-page-1/#comment-8027 Womanist Musings…. » Russell Simmons says Government…. | Total Info Tue, 23 Jun 2009 05:32:21 +0000 http://www.racismreview.com/blog/?p=2572#comment-8027 [...] In offering an apology on behalf of the American people, lawmakers joined peers in other settler states, namely Australia and CanadRead more at http://www.racismreview.com/blog/2009/06/21/senate-apologizes-for-slavery-219-years-late/ [...] [...] In offering an apology on behalf of the American people, lawmakers joined peers in other settler states, namely Australia and CanadRead more at http://www.racismreview.com/blog/2009/06/21/senate-apologizes-for-slavery-219-years-late/ [...]

]]> By: Joe http://www.racismreview.com/blog/2009/06/21/senate-apologizes-for-slavery-219-years-late/comment-page-1/#comment-8013 Joe Mon, 22 Jun 2009 01:18:20 +0000 http://www.racismreview.com/blog/?p=2572#comment-8013 NO1 and Dave, good points. Thanks for the thoughtful responses. The Senate is a mostly white male, good ole boy club, and it is probably the world's most powerful legislative body. Yet it is undemocratic in the way it is elected, and the way it operates, and in its composition. The founding (often slaveholders) fathers wanted it that way, undemocratic.... So, no surprise on this timid apology. NO1 and Dave, good points. Thanks for the thoughtful responses. The Senate is a mostly white male, good ole boy club, and it is probably the world’s most powerful legislative body. Yet it is undemocratic in the way it is elected, and the way it operates, and in its composition. The founding (often slaveholders) fathers wanted it that way, undemocratic…. So, no surprise on this timid apology.

]]> By: Dave Paul http://www.racismreview.com/blog/2009/06/21/senate-apologizes-for-slavery-219-years-late/comment-page-1/#comment-8009 Dave Paul Sun, 21 Jun 2009 22:34:16 +0000 http://www.racismreview.com/blog/?p=2572#comment-8009 I agree with No1KState. The problem with this resolution is that is feeds the contemporary white racial frame and its resultant view of racism. It fails to acknowledge the persistent racial inequalities that plague our nation and are born out of centuries of unjust wealth transmission (from black labor to white capitalists). Until we realize that our current standard of living and all the petty luxuries we have come to depend on are born directly out of racist, capitalist exploitation of both African Americans and people of color the world over, we are no better than our forebearers. We cannot continue to rationalize our wealth and privilege with individual character traits. This nation is founded on exploitation; we need to fight our human impulse to take advantage of other human beings. Each and every one of us needs to do a little soul-searching and we need to come together as a nation and right our wrongs, both past and present. I agree with No1KState. The problem with this resolution is that is feeds the contemporary white racial frame and its resultant view of racism. It fails to acknowledge the persistent racial inequalities that plague our nation and are born out of centuries of unjust wealth transmission (from black labor to white capitalists). Until we realize that our current standard of living and all the petty luxuries we have come to depend on are born directly out of racist, capitalist exploitation of both African Americans and people of color the world over, we are no better than our forebearers. We cannot continue to rationalize our wealth and privilege with individual character traits. This nation is founded on exploitation; we need to fight our human impulse to take advantage of other human beings. Each and every one of us needs to do a little soul-searching and we need to come together as a nation and right our wrongs, both past and present.

]]> By: No1KState http://www.racismreview.com/blog/2009/06/21/senate-apologizes-for-slavery-219-years-late/comment-page-1/#comment-8008 No1KState Sun, 21 Jun 2009 17:54:58 +0000 http://www.racismreview.com/blog/?p=2572#comment-8008 It's a sign of the strength of white supremacy. That's about all the <i>strength</i> that's there. Of the 7 comments, at least were ridiculous. The most ridiculous being that no one has the right to apologize on behalf of someone else. I guess this is a person who's spouse or kids or parents are always "apologizing" for him/her. The idea that the US of 2009 should apologize for it's first 233 and a half years or so as a nation is a logical fallacy. ~ As for the apology itself, until it acknowledges <i>everything</i> that happened and educates the populace, it means less than nothing. It's like someone taking a Hummer across the lower half of your body, apologizing for breaking your foot, then refusing to pay for medical treatment - especially since the accident was all of an hour ago and the ampatated foot is dead is dead and can't be replaced. When it comes to reparations, that is should be dismissed is insulting. To dismiss out of hand the appropriateness of reparations is, if nothing else, to deny the fact of generational wealth exchange and the fact that whites have benefited from it. I've said this so often, I've probably written it previously on other threads. But I like it so I'll write it again: people die; money gains compound interest! It’s a sign of the strength of white supremacy. That’s about all the strength that’s there. Of the 7 comments, at least were ridiculous. The most ridiculous being that no one has the right to apologize on behalf of someone else. I guess this is a person who’s spouse or kids or parents are always “apologizing” for him/her. The idea that the US of 2009 should apologize for it’s first 233 and a half years or so as a nation is a logical fallacy.
~
As for the apology itself, until it acknowledges everything that happened and educates the populace, it means less than nothing. It’s like someone taking a Hummer across the lower half of your body, apologizing for breaking your foot, then refusing to pay for medical treatment – especially since the accident was all of an hour ago and the ampatated foot is dead is dead and can’t be replaced. When it comes to reparations, that is should be dismissed is insulting. To dismiss out of hand the appropriateness of reparations is, if nothing else, to deny the fact of generational wealth exchange and the fact that whites have benefited from it. I’ve said this so often, I’ve probably written it previously on other threads. But I like it so I’ll write it again: people die; money gains compound interest!

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