Comments on: University of Virginia Apologizes for Slave Labor http://www.jackandjillpolitics.com/2007/04/university-of-virginia-apologizes-for-slave-labor/ A black bourgeoisie perspective on U.S. politics Sun, 22 Nov 2009 12:25:44 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: likwidshoe http://www.jackandjillpolitics.com/2007/04/university-of-virginia-apologizes-for-slave-labor/comment-page-1/#comment-492 likwidshoe Fri, 27 Apr 2007 04:00:00 +0000 http://s45368.gridserver.com/?p=287#comment-492 How do you know that none of his relatives were slaves? How far back do you insist on going? We all have ancestors who were once slaves. Now what?<br/><br/>It seems that you're not aware that America <b>DID</b> stop slavery. Why don't you give the country credit?<br/><br/>Can I now get an apology from you for the hubris displayed here? But we don't play by the same rules, do we? You have special rights.<br/><br/>Well, aren't you special. How do you know that none of his relatives were slaves? How far back do you insist on going? We all have ancestors who were once slaves. Now what?

It seems that you’re not aware that America DID stop slavery. Why don’t you give the country credit?

Can I now get an apology from you for the hubris displayed here? But we don’t play by the same rules, do we? You have special rights.

Well, aren’t you special.

]]> By: Ronnie B http://www.jackandjillpolitics.com/2007/04/university-of-virginia-apologizes-for-slave-labor/comment-page-1/#comment-480 Ronnie B Thu, 26 Apr 2007 16:00:00 +0000 http://s45368.gridserver.com/?p=287#comment-480 Here in Georgia, the legislature is still quibbling about the apology/profound regret issue. Several white legislators have offered the standard "<i>I didn't own any slaves, so I'm not sure what I should apologize for</i>" remarks. But a few weeks ago, a news story came out that the State of Georgia actually bought slave labor for various State projects. So now the legislature is in a unique position to apologize, not on behalf of individuals, but as a governmental body. <br/><br/>On the one hand, I have never appreciated a forced apology. At the same time, I resent the way American society has moved on as if slavery and Jim Crow were simply things that occured in a vacuum. What makes things worse, the same people who constantly demand that we "get over it", have no problem celebrating Confederate Memorial Day and other such traditions.<br/><br/>Still, if we're owed a formal apology--which we are--then so be it. But I'd rather see and appreciate substantive acts like college set-asides or private school subsidies. Here in Georgia, the legislature is still quibbling about the apology/profound regret issue. Several white legislators have offered the standard “I didn’t own any slaves, so I’m not sure what I should apologize for” remarks. But a few weeks ago, a news story came out that the State of Georgia actually bought slave labor for various State projects. So now the legislature is in a unique position to apologize, not on behalf of individuals, but as a governmental body.

On the one hand, I have never appreciated a forced apology. At the same time, I resent the way American society has moved on as if slavery and Jim Crow were simply things that occured in a vacuum. What makes things worse, the same people who constantly demand that we “get over it”, have no problem celebrating Confederate Memorial Day and other such traditions.

Still, if we’re owed a formal apology–which we are–then so be it. But I’d rather see and appreciate substantive acts like college set-asides or private school subsidies.

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