Virginia Lamakers Apologize for Slavery
Virginia Lawmakers Pass Slavery Apology
By LARRY O'DELL
AP
RICHMOND, Va. (Feb. 24) - Meeting on the grounds of the former Confederate Capitol, the Virginia General Assembly voted unanimously Saturday to express "profound regret" for the state's role in slavery.
Sponsors of the resolution say they know of no other state that has apologized for slavery, although Missouri lawmakers are considering such a measure. The resolution does not carry the weight of law but sends an important symbolic message, supporters said.
"This session will be remembered for a lot of things, but 20 years hence I suspect one of those things will be the fact that we came together and passed this resolution," said Delegate A. Donald McEachin, a Democrat who sponsored it in the House of Delegates.
The resolution passed the House 96-0 and cleared the 40-member Senate on a unanimous voice vote. It does not require Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's approval.
The measure also expressed regret for "the exploitation of Native Americans."
The resolution was introduced as Virginia begins its celebration of the 400th anniversary of Jamestown, where the first Africans arrived in 1619. Richmond, home to a popular boulevard lined with statues of Confederate heroes, later became another point of arrival for Africans and a slave-trade hub.
The resolution says government-sanctioned slavery "ranks as the most horrendous of all depredations of human rights and violations of our founding ideals in our nation's history, and the abolition of slavery was followed by systematic discrimination, enforced segregation, and other insidious institutions and practices toward Americans of African descent that were rooted in racism, racial bias, and racial misunderstanding."
In Virginia, black voter turnout was suppressed with a poll tax and literacy tests before those practices were struck down by federal courts, and state leaders responded to federally ordered school desegregation with a "Massive Resistance" movement in the 1950s and early '60s. Some communities created exclusive whites-only schools.
The apology is the latest in a series of strides Virginia has made in overcoming its segregationist past. Virginia was the first state to elect a black governor - L. Douglas Wilder in 1989 - and the Legislature took a step toward atoning for Massive Resistance in 2004 by creating a scholarship fund for blacks whose schools were shut down between 1954 and 1964.
Among those voting for the measure was Delegate Frank D. Hargrove, an 80-year-old Republican who infuriated black leaders last month by saying "black citizens should get over" slavery.
After enduring a barrage of criticism, Hargrove successfully co-sponsored a resolution calling on Virginia to celebrate "Juneteenth," a holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.
By LARRY O'DELL
AP
RICHMOND, Va. (Feb. 24) - Meeting on the grounds of the former Confederate Capitol, the Virginia General Assembly voted unanimously Saturday to express "profound regret" for the state's role in slavery.
Sponsors of the resolution say they know of no other state that has apologized for slavery, although Missouri lawmakers are considering such a measure. The resolution does not carry the weight of law but sends an important symbolic message, supporters said.
"This session will be remembered for a lot of things, but 20 years hence I suspect one of those things will be the fact that we came together and passed this resolution," said Delegate A. Donald McEachin, a Democrat who sponsored it in the House of Delegates.
The resolution passed the House 96-0 and cleared the 40-member Senate on a unanimous voice vote. It does not require Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's approval.
The measure also expressed regret for "the exploitation of Native Americans."
The resolution was introduced as Virginia begins its celebration of the 400th anniversary of Jamestown, where the first Africans arrived in 1619. Richmond, home to a popular boulevard lined with statues of Confederate heroes, later became another point of arrival for Africans and a slave-trade hub.
The resolution says government-sanctioned slavery "ranks as the most horrendous of all depredations of human rights and violations of our founding ideals in our nation's history, and the abolition of slavery was followed by systematic discrimination, enforced segregation, and other insidious institutions and practices toward Americans of African descent that were rooted in racism, racial bias, and racial misunderstanding."
In Virginia, black voter turnout was suppressed with a poll tax and literacy tests before those practices were struck down by federal courts, and state leaders responded to federally ordered school desegregation with a "Massive Resistance" movement in the 1950s and early '60s. Some communities created exclusive whites-only schools.
The apology is the latest in a series of strides Virginia has made in overcoming its segregationist past. Virginia was the first state to elect a black governor - L. Douglas Wilder in 1989 - and the Legislature took a step toward atoning for Massive Resistance in 2004 by creating a scholarship fund for blacks whose schools were shut down between 1954 and 1964.
Among those voting for the measure was Delegate Frank D. Hargrove, an 80-year-old Republican who infuriated black leaders last month by saying "black citizens should get over" slavery.
After enduring a barrage of criticism, Hargrove successfully co-sponsored a resolution calling on Virginia to celebrate "Juneteenth," a holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.
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Estervanico the Moor Slave the first non-resident to set foot in Arizona was and interesting guy. The Spanards just though it was to hot to send a white man into the desert, so they sent in this 6'6" slave, the native american tribe seeing this enormous guy sitting on a horse thought that he was a God, and a dispute arose between tribes over whether or not he was ot was not a God.
The tribe that thought he was a God shot shot an arrow through him, thinking it wouldn't kill him, however it killed him. I have seen the centuries old Hieroglphic pictures of this large man on a horse on rocks and that's the explantion story that archeolgist gave me.0 -
quote:Originally posted by kimi
and literacy tests
I'm not against that today. Why should you be able to vote if you can't read the names on the ballot?[}:)]0 -
Sounds like those Indians were a lot like the Algonquins and their fear of the early Jamestown, Virginia settlers. Several hundred of whom were murdered, or just disappeared. 0 -
If Virginia wants to make up for past transgressions, burn all the tabacco fields so I can quit smoking![}:)][:p]
This slavery thing is just bullcrap.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Henry0Reilly
http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=235885
Thank you Henry. Sorry for the duplicate.0 -
OK now let's hear some apologies from slave holding northern states like NJ & NY and the New England states that outfitted and financed the slave ships on their circular route. But let's not stop there.
The rest of the world needs to be included in this guilt trip, especially those countries still practicing slavery today.0 -
Well, if they are idiot enough to appologize for something they did not do, and apologize to people who it was not done to, then go ahead. Just don't draw me into it or expect me to bear any responsibility.
What they did with their apology is kinda like if a group of sports fans was treated rudely by another group of sports fan one weekend at the stadium. And the next week, a whole different "offender" group of sports fans apologizes to a whole different "victim" sports fans and that is suppose to actually mean something.
What a stupid waste of time.0 -
quote:Originally posted by v35
OK now let's hear some apologies from slave holding northern states like NJ & NY and the New England states that outfitted and financed the slave ships on their circular route. But let's not stop there.
The rest of the world needs to be included in this guilt trip, especially those countries still practicing slavery today.
SORRY![}:)]0 -
You're forgiven! [8D] 0 -
Gork "That hurt my feelings"
Urth "I'm sorry"
Mogg "Love means never having to say you're sorry"
Gork "I love you man!"
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Gag me! Pure, unadulterated self-serving window-trimming directly from politicians who could care less. As heartfelt and sincere as a $3 bill with Wild Willie Clinton's picture on it. 0 -
I wonder who voted against this resolution. 0 -
Does this mean I'm not gonna get reimbursed for the ones that got turned loose after the 13th amendment ? If reparations follow, I want my share as well for loss of property without due process (5th amendment). 0 -
quote:Originally posted by tr fox
Well, if they are idiot enough to appologize for something they did not do, and apologize to people who it was not done to, then go ahead. Just don't draw me into it or expect me to bear any responsibility.
What they did with their apology is kinda like if a group of sports fans was treated rudely by another group of sports fan one weekend at the stadium. And the next week, a whole different "offender" group of sports fans apologizes to a whole different "victim" sports fans and that is suppose to actually mean something.
What a stupid waste of time.
+1 You got that right. Just the first step to writing them checks for reparations. Liberalism at its worst![:(]0 -
"Does this mean I'm not gonna get reimbursed for the ones that got turned loose after the 13th amendment ? If reparations follow, I want my share as well for loss of property without due process (5th amendment)."
That is funny as hell, dc.0 -
quote:Originally posted by sig232
+1 You got that right. Just the first step to writing them checks for reparations. Liberalism at its worst![:(]
Yeah, damn liberal Virginia state legislature! The Virginia State Legislature is comprised of all Democrats, right?0 -
quote:Originally posted by warriorsfan
quote:Originally posted by sig232
+1 You got that right. Just the first step to writing them checks for reparations. Liberalism at its worst![:(]
Yeah, damn liberal Virginia state legislature! The Virginia State Legislature is comprised of all Democrats, right?
You are more right than you think. Virginia is not the conservative stronghold some folks think it is. Look at the latest election...Webb in the Senate is an abomination to conseratives, but there he is. Ask someone in Fairfax county if their govt. is liberal or not.0 -
quote:Originally posted by ripley16
quote:Originally posted by warriorsfan
quote:Originally posted by sig232
+1 You got that right. Just the first step to writing them checks for reparations. Liberalism at its worst![:(]
Yeah, damn liberal Virginia state legislature! The Virginia State Legislature is comprised of all Democrats, right?
You are more right than you think. Virginia is not the conservative stronghold some folks think it is. Look at the latest election...Webb in the Senate is an abomination to conseratives, but there he is. Ask someone in Fairfax county if their govt. is liberal or not.
Republicans control both the House and the Senate in the Virginia General Assembly.0 -
"OK now let's hear some apologies from slave holding northern states like NJ & NY and the New England states..."
V35 you are right. In the 1700s slaves were held in every state. There were lots of slaves in Massachusetts. Of course by the time of the Civil War Massachusetts was full of know it all Yankees who were condemning the Southerners for keeping slaves.
If cotton had grown well in Massachusetts the rich cotton planters of Massachusetts would have hanged the abolitionists.0 -
I want in on this apology movement.
My ancestors were terrorized and enslaved by relatives of this man!
They raped and pilaged all of Northeastern England. They made my people toil and sweat. I want a very sincere apology from the King of Denmark. Maybe a little money thrown in too for all the pain I suffer as a result.0 -
I sense Indian Casino's coming.. 0 -
seems to be a moot point or an election is comeing .
wrench0 -
There's been a lot of damage by racial incidents other than white on black. Who's gunna pay the comparitive damage by roits, buildings burned, liguors stores robbed, grociery stores lootinh during Watts, Detroit, and South Central L.A. after Rodney King, or the random beating of a white truck driver, and many more incidents most of the reasonable American people have long forgotten. 0 -
Mark my words. Greedy lawyers (Redundant, I know) will use this as a basis to file claims and likely a class action suit.
Slavery was certainly wrong but this crap the north fought to end it is BS.
They did, in a way.
They fought to end slavery and have all Negroes (can I use this term?) returned to Africa. It was never the intent to set them free and allow them to remain here. The Declaration of Emancipation was used to prevent Britain and France from recognizing the Confederacy as an independent nation thus nullifying the blockade thus ending the war in a stalemate. The proclamation meant Britain and France would recognize slavery as legitimate and they could not do it that so it was a decisive factor in Union victory.
That said I want in on the looting.
I feel I have suffered immeasurable harm as a result of other white people doing these bad things. Since my German family fought for the Union and my Greek half came here after the uncivil war no one I am related to participated in any way with slavery.
Yet, I have suffered the indignation and humiliation of being associated because I have white skin. This is a racist act because it is based on the color of my skin being associated with people who committed slavery so therefore I have been persecuted and deserve fair compensation for being the target of racism.
Being a humble and gracious man I believe two million US will compensate me for the mental anguish I have been burdened by all these years.
Being a man of conscience I will use part of that money to pay preparations to the southern states for the acts of my paternal family in the Ohio regiments when they participated in the war of Union aggression and build some Confederate war memorials.
Further I will make a claim for the racist labeling of being classed as white. I am not white. I am light colored but certainly not white so another million, please!
From now own I would like to be classed as European American.
I am going to write the legislators and ask they make apologizes to me for the mental aguish I suffered.
Apparently they have little to do and my claims are real and not symbolic so should take precedent.
If they do not act I will burn down my neighborhood. That will how them!
Wulfmann0
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