I do not want to tell my country, but it is the country that did many horrible things in WW2. Some people say, well I did not do that, people in the past did it , we are different. Or should I say Iam sorry.
2007-08-21 05:47:32 · 11 answers · asked by Wilson Phillips 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
no, you cannot make a personal apology; that would not be right - you are not responsible. you can be sorry, and empathetic, but it doesn't help for you to apologise for something you didn't do.
2007-08-21 05:55:10 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I am American. My country has aided many countries, in peace and in war. In the process we have also hurt other countries. We had slavery once, which some here are still angry about. I wish those people (white & black) would let it go. We invaded native American land and stole it from them, in some cases. We have also created a society which, though not perfect, is I think, pretty good. People have flocked to this country in hopes of prosperity.
Every country has it's dark side. That does not mean it was or will always be bad. Just because a set of politicians make certain decisions, does not mean all the people of a country are in agreement.
Perhaps you should study the history of your country more - not just modern history books (how history is told also changes with history!) but the old yellowed ones in the library. Gain a perspective of the full history - good and bad. You'll find the reasons for the dark times and I'm sure something to be proud of too. Then, if you feel bad about how your country handled things in the past, say so if you wish, and do your part to keep it from happening again, but don't beat yourself up over it though - YOU didn't do it.
2007-08-21 07:09:34 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many of the respondents have said that there is no need for you to apologize, and they are correct. Even if a member of your own family was involved, it was before you were born.
However, you can and should be sympathetic to people whose families suffered during that time. Even more importantly, you should work to make this a better world by helping the world to remember the past and to steer clear of possible repetitions. It is a sadly true statement that "those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it", and there are those out there, even now, trying to make people believe that "The Final Solution" is just a story, that it didn't happen. And in other countries where similar tragedies have occurred are similar groups doing the same thing. They are trying to "spill ink" on world history to obliterate horrors such as these.
Genocide, however, is an unspeakable crime that should never be made to be forgotten. The Inquistion, The Final Solution, Kurds, Sunni vs Shiite, the KKK, these are all things that need to be remembered so that they can be stopped and never repeated. Help with that, and you help make up for what happened and help prevent it in the future. That will mean far more than merely saying, "I'm sorry".
2007-08-22 11:57:33 · answer #3 · answered by prnigel 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You do not have to apologize for things you did not do.
Also, one should not accept the idea of collective guilt. There is no group or nation or country that at some time or another has not done awful things to another (or to its own citizens.)
One should always regret the death of innocent people but nobody should feel guilty for the actions of others.
2007-08-21 14:40:13 · answer #4 · answered by marguerite L 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only your heart can lead you in how you approach that. I apologize for alot of things that I didn't do. Simply out of compassion. Funny, it actually makes some feel better to know that while way back then, they weren't sorry for it, today, we are. I am very sorry for some of what my ancestors have done and it does impact some that I come in contact with. They express their feelings, and I express my apologetic sympathy...it's amazing how it changes things just to do one small thing such as telling them how sorry you are for what an ancestor, president, dictator, friend, neighbor, whatever, and such.
They aren't blaming me for it, not in the least. They are looking to know that things have changed and someone really does still care about it.
JMHO.
2007-08-21 06:10:58 · answer #5 · answered by TBS 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Of course you can - it's not necessary, and you were presumably not in any way responsible, but (a) who are you hurting when you apologize? and (b) who might feel better to get an apology, no matter from who it comes? Like so many things in life, it's not rational, but it works. Also, if you wish, you may think of it as practice for marriage: many a husband has found it both wise and very, very beneficial to apologize for things he was not responsible for.
2007-08-21 06:23:18 · answer #6 · answered by John R 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We are not responsible for the actions of those in the past, but we are responsible for our own now. Learn from the mistakes of our ancestors and vow not to repeat them. Be proud of who you are and respect others.
2007-08-21 06:03:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't feel guilty....because it is in the past. It is history. Sorry folks, but it is. Live in the now and be grateful for what you have, and don't apologize to people. You didn't do anything.
2007-08-21 05:55:27 · answer #8 · answered by atlantagal 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, but it would be good to make friends with survivors or children of survivors to give yourself a deeper understanding of what they went through.
2007-08-21 08:15:45 · answer #9 · answered by contrarycrow 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you should not, because the people who did wrong are not you. If you commit something awful, then you shall ask forgiveness.
You're responsible for your actions not for other people's actions!!
2007-08-21 05:55:47 · answer #10 · answered by Ya no estoy en Y!R por Facebook! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋