NPR: New Jersey Considers Slavery Apology

New Jersey Considers Slavery Apology

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According to the AP, New Jersey lawmakers are considering an apology for slavery.

Following in the footsteps of Alabama, Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia, Jersey could become the next state (and first in the North) to issue a formal apology.

"This is not too much to ask of the state of New Jersey," said Assemblyman William Payne, who sponsors the bill. "All that is being requested of New Jersey is to say three simple words: We are sorry."

Should the state approve the measure? What purpose do these symbolic apologies serve?

New Jersey Republican Assemblyman Richard Merkt said this: "Who living today is guilty of slave holding and thus capable of apologizing for the offense? And who living today is a former slave and thus capable of accepting the apology?"

Geoffrey Bennett

Tags: New Jersey | slavery

1:24 PM ET | 01- 2-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

Even if no slave holders or actual former slaves are living today, the legacy of slavery is still evident.
American Slavery was so repulsive, that
the thought of this land of the free, having an ugly curse such as this
in its history has left an ugly mark on the nation. A full atonement and apology is due.

Sent by Don W. | 6:47 PM ET | 01-02-2008

Maybe the question that this Republican Assemblyman needs to ask is "Who living today has benefited from the crime of past americans holding slaves and who living today are still suffering the effects of hundreds of years of inequality and slavery that we can never allow to pay reparations or make amends for?

Sent by B.D. | 1:12 PM ET | 01-03-2008

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