An Apology for Slavery?
A resolution that would have the General Assembly apologize for Virginia’s role in slavery was opposed earlier this week by Del. Frank Hargrove, R-Hanover. While standing on the house floor, Del. Hargrove stated “, “The present commonwealth has nothing to do with slavery,” he said. “I personally think that our black citizens ought to get over it. By golly, we’re living in 2007.” Hargrove says that an apology would open up the way for more public apologies. He went on to say, “Are we going to force the Jews to apologize for killing Christ?” “Nobody living today had anything to do with it.”
Del. Dwight Jones, D-Richmond, chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus, when asked about Hargrove’s comments’ “When someone tells me I should just get over slavery, I can only express my emotion by projecting that I am appalled, very appalled,” Jones said. He accused Hargrove of making “narrow-minded, exclusionary statements.”
Wow, this is an awkward situation in my opinion. SHOULD Virginia apologize for their part in enslaving black people? As a black person, I dont feel an apology is neither needed nor beneficial. I even agree with the statement that “Nobody living today had anything to do with it.” and, neither will anyone today benefit from an apology. So what will an apology do?
But I also feel that Hargrove’s statements to both Blacks and Jews was insensitive and inappropriate. What good can come from a public apology for slavery? What bad could come of it? None. So, why is this an issue again? Shouldn’t we be focused on issues that really matter?
I agree, we should be focused on issues that really matter, and the media’s focus on this divisive issue really is a distraction to those issues. I don’t think Hargrove intended to be insensitive, but that is certainly how many are taking it. This is especially easy when the media takes someones comments and whittle them down to a few quotes. I blame them for making a divisve issue even more divisive.
Eric, it’s been a long time since I’ve visited the blog - it looks great!
And, yeah, what’s with all this “apology” stuff? We wouldn’t want to be known as a country and a people who operate in apologies and forgiveness and things of that nature. Sheesh! That would be terrible, and the results would probably be absolutely devastating!
LOL, don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with apologies. But because this issue is soooo over and done with, I do not feel as a black person that an apology is necessary. Has this nation received closure on this issue? If not then maybe an apology is necessary. For me, its already been forgiven and forgotten. The issue has been put to rest. That is why I agree with Hargrove’s new proposal for a new month long Juneteenth celebration to the end of slavery. And IF Virginia apologizes for slavery, I would also add to that a proposal ending the celebration of Lee/Jackson Day! It seems like insanity to celebrate the end of slavery and then commemorate those who fought so hard to preserve it.
Eric,
A couple of weeks ago I went to the MLK historical site in Atlanta. Frankly, I wanted to apologize to every black person in the place.
Maybe we owe an apology to humanity past and future for all the crap. So for better or worse: I Apologize. Let’s Bring it out in the open and and move forward together.
Blessings and much love,
Kevin
Hi Kevin, thanks for stopping by.
I really need to do a follow up to this story. In fact… I think I will.
Apologies are only necessary when the ACTUAL individuals have done something wrong.
Everyone here today has NOT engaged in Slavery, so no apology is necessary.
The only acceptable resolution would be to officially condemn slavery & honor those who helped to END IT…