New Jersey officially apologizes for slavery

[dangerclose]

By TOM HESTER Jr., Associated Press Writer
Mon Jan 7, 10:16 PM ET



TRENTON, N.J. - New Jersey became the first Northern state to apologize for slavery, as legislators approved a resolution Monday expressing "profound regret" for the state's role in the practice.


The Assembly and the Senate 29-2 both voted overwhelmingly to approve the resolution, which expresses the Legislature's opinion without requiring action by the governor.

"This resolution does nothing more than say New Jersey is sorry about its shameful past," said Assemblyman William Payne, a Democrat who sponsored the measure.

The resolution offers an apology "for the wrongs inflicted by slavery and its aftereffects in the United States of America."

It states that in New Jersey, "the vestiges of slavery are ever before African-American citizens, from the overt racism of hate groups to the subtle racism encountered when requesting health care, transacting business, buying a home, seeking quality public education and college admission, and enduring pretextual traffic stops and other indignities."

Legislators in Alabama, Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia have issued formal apologies for slavery.

According to the resolution, New Jersey had one of the largest slave populations in the Northern colonies and was the last state in the Northeast to formally abolish slavery, not doing so until 1846.

The state didn't ratify the constitutional amendment prohibiting slavery until January 1866, a month after it had already become federal law.

Opponents said the apology was a meaningless gesture. Assemblyman Richard Merkt, a Republican, said everyone deems slavery an abomination.

"But this was a sin that was atoned for in blood 150 years ago by the death of 650,000 Americans," Merkt said, referring to the Civil War.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080108/ap_on_re_us/slavery_apology

_____________________________

Yes, because that was sorely needed.
Thank you New Jersey. Now that you've put the awful legacy of slavery behind you when are you going to apologize for Bon Jovi?

[Freibier]

Nice gesture by all means.

[pgm]

Opponents said the apology was a meaningless gesture. Assemblyman Richard Merkt, a Republican, said everyone deems slavery an abomination.
"But this was a sin that was atoned for in blood 150 years ago by the death of 650,000 Americans,"

I strongly agree. More than meaningless, it's an antihistorical gesture since slavery, even if an abomination, is sadly a part of mankind history. Acts like these "apologies" are a very cheap and stupid way to spruce up at the expenses of past - and dead - generations. I hope New Jersey Assembly will spend its time (and taxpayers' money) more fruitfully in the future.

[dangerclose]

I strongly agree. More than meaningless, it's an antihistorical gesture since slavery, even if an abomination, is sadly a part of mankind history. Acts like these "apologies" are a very cheap and stupid way to spruce up at the expenses of past - and dead - generations. I hope New Jersey Assembly will spend its time (and taxpayers' money) more fruitfully in the future.

Lol @ white liberals.

I've got a better idea - set up cotton plantations in New Jersey where those who feel they need to apologize for slavery can work to assuage their guilt. It's a win-win: we get cheaper fruit of the looms and guilt-ridden liberals can feel good about themselves.

[2Sheds_Jackson]

"the vestiges of slavery are ever before African-American citizens, from the overt racism of hate groups to the subtle racism encountered when requesting health care, transacting business, buying a home, seeking quality public education and college admission, and enduring pretextual traffic stops and other indignities."


What has any of that utter bullsh*t got to do with slavery? Why is it included in an apology for slavery? If I was a NJ resident, I'd be pretty pissed off right about now. This is nothing more and nothing less than a gift that those running a race-based entitlement empire have given themselves. Pretty cozy arrangement.

[California Joe]

F*ck New Jersey. I think 646,392+ casualties in the North alone, bought the right to not have to apologize to people that have been dead for 150 years so their whiny ass, politically inclined, spawn can be financially compensated.

[Euroamerican]

All the Northerners that died in the war. That's our payment....

This is all about reestablishing the "guilt" and extracting monetary damages therefore.

[Mastermind]

Well, that makes it all better, now...dosen't it?

Apologize this!

[California Joe]

This kind of sh*t never fails to infuriate me. Who the f*ck are you apologizing to?

It's not like there is a place out there called "Slavery" full of people that are in dire need of our help and good will for all the ills that we've committed against them. I mean, I'd be more than willing to send their poor ill treated Air Jordan wearing descendants back to the continent of their origins so that they may fully experience what it means to be at one with their long lost culture.

So who's getting on the plane for Darfur?


Anyone?

[shocker1]

Ok but I want an apology from New Jersey for their share of Carpetbaggers and their support for the destruction of the Cherokee Nation in the Tennessee Valley.

[Desk Jockey]

But this was a sin that was atoned for in blood 150 years ago by the death of 650,000 Americans," Merkt said, referring to the Civil War.

As an "African American" this was in my head when I read the title of the thread before reading the post. I mean many people died to do away with slavery.

Forget about the fact African tribes sold opposing tribes to the slave traders. Apoligizing is so gay...........

[MaDuce]

This kind of sh*t never fails to infuriate me. Who the f*ck are you apologizing to?

It's not like there is a place out there called "Slavery" full of people that are in dire need of our help and good will for all the ills that we've committed against them. I mean, I'd be more than willing to send their poor ill treated Air Jordan wearing descendants back to the continent of their origins so that they may fully experience what it means to be at one with their long lost culture.

So who's getting on the plane for Darfur?


Anyone?

Jesse Jackson is the king of black people I saw it on Soth Park :)

[California Joe]

I'm a big fat racist.


OK, not really.


But I fail to see how this lameass announcement actually helps anyone. It's absurd. It's actually beyond absurd.

[shocker1]

It helps carry on the mantel of racism, slavery and the evil South for the next Generation. A lot of people's livelihood depend on it.

[oswald]

I'm a big fat racist.


OK, not really.


But I fail to see how this lameass announcement actually helps anyone. It's absurd. It's actually beyond absurd.Have you ever been to New Jersey? :|

[California Joe]

Yes oswald. Yes I have. Are there still slaves there?

[shocker1]

I thought it was Maryland riding the fence on that issue during the 1860's.

[Miles.]

I thought it was Maryland riding the fence on that issue during the 1860's.

Maryland kept their slaves after the Emancipation Proclamation.

Lincoln freed the slaves. But only in the areas where there was rebellion against the federal government.

If you kept your mouth shut and went along with Uncle Sam, your slaves were still your slaves.

[California Joe]

Southern Maryland was riding that fence into the 1960s...

[oswald]

Yes oswald. Yes I have. Are there still slaves there?Not that I know of. But considering that the state gave rise to me and Lac, absurd is an understatement.

[California Joe]

I think you're both shining examples.

[oswald]

I think you're both shining examples.examples of what? :|

[California Joe]

Stop giving me that :| face.

Local boys made good of course.

[oswald]

Stop giving me that :| face.

Local boys made good of course.:|






rofl

Sorry. Couldn't help myself. Like my dad telling me not to stick my finger in the light socket.

[Polygon]

The apology was absurd and meaningless, and I completely agree with the following remark:

"But this was a sin that was atoned for in blood 150 years ago by the death of 650,000 Americans," Merkt said, referring to the Civil War."

You think that sacrifice would be enough for an "apology" but I guess the only real apology these days comes in the form of greenbacks.

[haze99]

Racism at college admission? (Am I missing something?) Is there not a NAACP? Are there not all-black colleges? (Like FAMU or ASU)
Is the writer of this article living in 1866?