Why should anyone of this generation apologize for slavery or misdeeds caused by those of prior generations?

Question

I was born into poverty and raised in various institutions. Disfuntional uneducated parents did not help matters. No food stanps and absolutely no free breakfast or lunches at school. Often I went to school hungry and stayed that way throughout the day. Fortunately,I have managed to overcome with constant struggle and determination. I have never received any government assistance of any kind. Now as an adult (senior citizen) I am told that as a white person I, along with the white race should apologize to the black race? How ridiculous! Should they not thank the tax payers of America for the many social programs granted to them simply because they are in a minority? Apologize? Apologize? The loneliness, hunger and feelings of inferiority I went through because of the ignorance of generations past! And now there are those who would want me to apologize to another race of people for what that ignorance caused? Maybe that suggestion is the ignorance of this generation.

Answer 1

Good point and so well written. But they will never see it your way. Not one of us can imagine what you went through and my heart goes out to you. People now-days have it so easy. Back in your days there were no Government funding like it is now. People have never heard of the poor farm. Or Potters Field where the poor people were buried. You are so accurate. Keep writing. It is Great !! People back then lived in quansit huts and if they were home less , they went to the poor farm. There is a story about Norwegian emmigrants who lived under a stone ledge. No homes and had to do what they could to survive. The Blacks think they had it so bad, well they are not the only ones who have suffered. I am not racist, but I get sick of the complaining and all the taking away from others. You are a good writer. Keep it up.

Answer 2

I am a black man and I see no reason for an apology that will help no one it,s just words that mean nothing . It ,s true you whites today did not have black people that you turned into slaves but you are benefiting from it today in every way and we are in most part still suffering from it I read your story and I don,t know what happen in your case but multiply what happen to you times ten and that is what most black people went through at the same time you did . It,s not about who had it worse it,s about what happen and an apology wont help one black person. There is more to this apology thing than what we are hearing just wait the real reason will come out soon I don,t know if some other country is asking us to do it or some group but there is more to it I personal want money and a education if not for 400 years of free labor what would America be think about that . If some one gave you 10,000.000.00 people and you did not have to pay them one cent for 400 hundred years how much money would you make I have a plan so every one could be happy I will share it with everyone one day but you can,t get something for nothing someone has to pay

Answer 3

There's no way people now should be apologizing for any of that. Almost all cultures have, in the past, been and had slaves, that's just the way it was. It was never good, but if you were a country that was poor or could not physically defend itself, you got taken over and your people often became slaves. My ancestors were poor and Irish, and everyone knows what happened between the Irish and English; but it wouldn't occur to me to rub someone's face in that. Here in Canada we have the same kind of thing with the "Native Canadians" that Americans have with "African Americans", many wanting - and getting - apologies and special treatment ("Affirmative Action") because of things that happened a LONG time ago. But my family wasn't here then, and no way should you say your sorry for things you didn't do. People need to stop acting like victims and take some control over there own lives.

Answer 4

I agree with you. Apologize no. How far back can we go in any culture? Should Italians apologize for their Roman ancestors actions for the crucifying of Christians? Or the Greeks apologizing for Alexander the Great taking land from the Persians, Egyptians etc... Acknowledge that there were wrongs done yes. And learn from the mistakes, yes.

If I had personally done someone, or culture wrong, I would apologize. But I am not going to give an apology for something that was out of my hands.

And for those people who think I am racist, you are now labelling me, without knowing me. That is hypocritical, you owe me an apology!

Answer 5

It seems that the "apology" is wanted from companies and corporations or governments that benefitted from slavery at that time. Though no one in this genaeration is responsible, several corporations are still in existence that capitalized from slave workers.

It seems to me that this can open the door for lawsuits seeking reparations or compensation for immoral conduct from the past.

It is an unfortunate and immoral part of our nation's past, but to seek an apology realing doesn't solve anything. My family had losses from German aggresion during WW2, I'm don't want an apology from it. Every culture has had some form of bias, discrimination or misdeed done to it at some time in the past. It's over with, go on with your life.

Answer 6

No one should have to apologize for a wrong they did not commit. I am not looking for an apology because I was never a slave. Don't apologize, its your right not to. There were many whites that never owned slaves. My ex's family weren't even in America during the time of slavery, yet he and his family are hated collectively with the rest of the whites just because he is a white American and is assumed to have come from slave owners... Its pathetic to hate a whole race just because of something that happened years ago between none of us living today. Why aren't black people here demanding an apology from the Africans that sold their ancestors to the white man in the first place?

Answer 7

An apology is nothing more than window dressing! Much better than a shallow apology for slavery would be the establishment of real, relevant, working systems and norms that truly leveled the playing field so Blacks and other minorities could compete equally.

By the way, your life story would, as a previous writer noted, make you almost an honorary Black!!! Welcome to minority America!

Answer 8

I agree with you. I am tired of being blamed and labeled for something that I myself did not do. I am no more accountable for my ancestors actions than I am of the person sitting next to me on the bus. I am disgusted that human beings that they could preform some of the acts that they have bestowed upon their fellow man but I will no apologize for I myself have done nothing wrong. I too have lived poor and not received a single penny from government assistance...I am working close to 60 hours a week to put myself through college yet a black person gets scholarships simply because of their skin color?! How unfair is that to those who dont qualify for government assistance but are too poor to pay for college?

I am sick and tired of people blaming their past for how they behave or for the circumstances of today. When will people realize that the past only effects you if you allow it to. Grow up and stop your bitching. I am tired of people complaining about slavery-none of this generation has experienced slavery so stop acting like the world owes you some great apology. I once hear about the government giving money to those families of African American slaves for their past suffering? You have got to be kidding me!!! Why should I give my hard earned money to someone who hasnt suffered the effects of slavery (that ended 142 years ago) just because someone they never met got a bad hand in life? There are tons of people living now in need of the basic aspects of life(food, clothes, shelter) that we could be spending our money on. People need to grow up & quit looking for an easy wau out or some meger validation in life.

Answer 9

It's sad to hear that your life has been difficult. Not to make light of it but, you've now been declared "an honorary black." lol. Regarding apology and reparation, not all black people care for any of that. However, those who do, feel that many whites (particularly) in the south, got their wealth from the labor of blacks and they should give back something for the exploitation. Have you ever wondered how some people have so much money to pass down from one generation to another? Do you believe they all worked honestly for it? And yes, there are many white people in the US who are suffering, and they deserve to be acknowledged.

Answer 10

Because the repercussions of the wrongs and injustices committed by the forefathers of white people like you and me are still operating strongly to this day. Just because you grew up poor and didn't have the easiest life doesn't mean you had the same experience a person of colour in similar circumstances would have. Even if you have never uttered a disparaging comment about any person of colour or done anything you would consider racist, that still doesn't mean you weren't brought up holding the long end of the stick in a racist society.

Whether you realize it or not, whiteness gives people (yes even impoverished ones) a mobility and privilege that people of colour largely do not have.

Personally, I feel like a good way for me, as a white person, to combat the inequalities set out by racism past and present, is not to just say "sorry" but to work as an ally, involved in anti-opression of all kinds. To recognize (not deny!) my privilege, and use it in positive, responsible ways to incite change.

I'm not going to hide behind my personal history and cite examples and excuses as to why I've had it just as hard as people of colour. Because it's just not true, and they are not even reasonable comparisons.