REAL ACTION MEANS NEVER HAVING TO SAY I’M SORRY
The U.S. Senate voted on June 18 in favor of a measure to apologize to African-Americans for slavery and segregation.
Louisiana’s own Sen. Mary Landrieu co-sponsored the bill and was reported to have said
“Although our society and government has made significant strides in advancing civil rights, our current progress does not correct the mistakes of our past . . . A full apology is not only necessary but long overdue.”
Let’s say slavery in America begin with English colonization at the turn of the 17th century and was legally ended in 1865 with the ratification of the 13th amendment to the Constitution. For nearly 260 years it existed, ending 144 years ago. And if the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is used as the historical marker of the end of formal racial discrimination, sanctioned injustices existed against Blacks in America for nearly 100 years after slavery.
Indeed, it is so long overdue that . . . well . . . what for?
Exactly what does one—or in this case and entire race of people—do with an “I’m sorry” for something that has had the tremendous historical and social effect of the enslavement and the subsequent injustices against Black people? Good intentions aside, this display, which took place in a nearly empty senate chamber, was more or less a waste of time.
What’s the appropriate response? Do we all hold hands and burst into a rousing chorus of “Kumbaya?”
Just a short while ago, Sen. Landrieu’s recommendation to reappoint Jim Letten as U.S. attorney—whose actions here in New Orleans in several cases involving injustices against African-Americans were disconcerting—was, we believe, an affront to true justice and the call for change. His removal would have brought some healing to our community, and we would have accepted her reconsideration of that decision over the “sorry for slavery” resolution any day.
In fact, lead sponsor of the bill Sen. Tim Harkin (D-Iowa) said “This resolution will not fix lingering injustices; the real work lies ahead.”
And there it is. As this resolution now heads to the House of Representatives, The New Orleans Tribune would urge our elected officials to skip the mea culpa and get to the “real work.” That’s what we think. We’d like to know what cha say? Do you want apologies or policy?
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21:11:42
