Should the USA apologize for slavery?

Question

Why should there be an apology for something that anyone that was either enslaved or enslaving is now deceased? Who will accept the apology? What good will it do? Should there then be reparations? Who will the money go to? Should the Jews then apologize for crucifying Jesus? Should Germany and the Germans apologize for The Holocaust? Shouldn't Africans apologize too? Would one be racist for not thinking that an apology is necessary? These are some of the questions that an associate of mine asked me when the topic arose as a result of VA apologizing, and other states began making considerations in following suit. He even said that all people are equal now, that colored people should just get over it because it happened so long ago, and that he personally had nothing to do with it. His ancestors, who were Welsh and Irish immigrates to the USA, also had nothing to do with it, and did not own slaves. All of these questions relate to the main question, and should also be answered.

Answer 1

The passage of time does not void doing the moral and humane thing. There has been no establishment of statutes of limitations for inhumane treatment of fellow human beings. The descendants of slaves will gladly accept the apology. It will do a lot of good and will start the long process of healing. Self-esteem and self-worth are just a few of the immediate benefits that an apology will beget. Once the apology is accepted, reparations are next in order. The money will go to the descendants of slaves. The Jews crucifying Jesus has nothing to do with the institution of slavery. The extermination of the Jewish people by Germans has nothing to do with slavery. Africans apologizing has nothing to do with slavery. Those are just excuses that are used to avoid the question. Being racist means being superior in composition, or whatever, and means that name calling avoids the question, again. All people are not equal now. There are people of English or German descent and of the Protestant religion that really feel that they are superior to all others, and are destined to rule. They do not equate themselves with the Irish or the Italian people. Immigrant Mexican people do not see themselves as being equal to Illegal alien Mexicans. In the USA, there are more women then men, but women are still considered 'MINORITIES'. Colored people? The description is Black, with a capital B, which represents the people that descend from the field slaves where ever they were. We will never forget our parents, for they went through HELL, and survived long enough to beget us, their children. If it weren't for them, we would not be here enjoying the lifestyle that they were denied for over 500 years. Though he had nothing to do with slavery, he is a beneficiary of living in a system that reaped the benefits of over 500 years of free labor, and a free lifestyle. His ancestors were benefactors of attempting to achieve the American Dream, and being able to blend in to the Melting Pot of American Society. They did not have to experience the humiliation of second class citizenship based upon slavery, skin color, or Jim Crow.
Since I answered all of the questions, I'll appreciate the 10 points.

Answer 2

Hell no there shouldn't be an apology given. I mean I'm real sorry it happened but I never had a slave and neither did any of my family who is alive today. As far as that goes, has any African American alive today ever been kept as a slave, I think not. So like you said, who is the apology going to. It would be pointless. If the white folks are expected to give an apology to the blacks then I want an apology from the Jews for crucifying Jesus, like you said. How could an apology be sincere from someone who wasn't even there.

Answer 3

Germany has payed restitution for their part in the Holocaust. The Swiss still have accounts that belong to those who died in the Concentration Camps. Germany, still has not paid Ethiopia for all the genocide that went on during WWII. Those Africans nations that helped in the slave trade never apologized to African Americans! The Catholic church Portugal, France nor Spain has ever apologized for their part in the slave trade either and the Corporations that bebefitted from it are still in exsistence due to slavery has never made restitution to the direct decendants of those slaves.
America restored Japan after WWII, rebuilt the Phillipines and bailed all of Europe out after WWII...Soo now what?

Answer 4

How do you apologize for the actions of others? It's ridiculous to do it or expect others to do it. It won't change anything. People need to get over the victim mentality and everyone would be better off.

Answer 5

The problem is this.Where would you start.?No one needs an apology.They just want one.Ofcourse the blacks want an apology.Thats admitting guilt.Then they want the free money.Its bad enough that people always want a free ride.I say get a job earn your own living and get over it.

Answer 6

We probably cannot give them an apology, but they should be given equality, which is one thing us Whites do not do even today. I am not saying they should be given special treatment, just equal treatment.

Answer 7

no