One phrase only: The US Government should put its money where its mouth is.

Sent by Veronica | 5:28 PM ET | 07-30-2008

we have to apologize for slavery!!! here we go again...are we going to apologize to japanese-americans for internment? apologize to japanese civilians for the atomic bomb? you know this is only about one thing..MONEY!!! this is just paving the way for african americans to sue the united states government..and you know who is going to end up paying? you guessed it

Sent by jim anderson | 5:29 PM ET | 07-30-2008

As a middle-class white woman of European descent, there is no question in my mind that the unearned privileges I have been awarded all my life are linked in both direct (somehow, somewhere my family is even connected to that of Jefferson Davis) and less direct ways to the horror of slavery.

The House of Representatives formal apology for slavery and its aftermath of Jim Crow laws and economic and social disparity is long overdue. It is also completely reasonable that African-Americans view the apology as far too little and far too late.

The lesson white America needs to learn is that it is not ours to decide when and how others heal from the legacy of our actions. Whether our apology has the meaning we would like it to is not our call. We have dictated enough.

A critical characteristic of a genuine apology is letting go of the response
it brings about. Whether it is accepted or dismissed is not ours to determine.

I am genuinely sorry that slavery took place in my name and to serve the goals of my ancestors. I can never begin to know the horror others have suffered and continue to suffer as a result of slavery. I also accept that my apology may or may not have meaning to those I apologize to, but this uncertainty in no way diminishes the importance of my offering it, with genuine sorrow and humility.

Sent by Martha Hall | 6:23 PM ET | 07-30-2008

Martha,
it does bring some comfort to my heart as an old blackman,that there are some, who are genuine and sincere about the atrocities of the past. And you are right, not enough can be said or done to correct America's human tragedy and disgrace. There will always be those of evil design and intent who will never have remorse for what white men in government have done and will do.

When looking back at pictures of black men and women being lynched and white families gathering as if they were at a festival, and in their minds I guess they were, I'm always spell bound that mothers would allow their children to view such an ungodly act.

How did they grow up with a healthy mind and spirit? Did anyone counsel them and where were those Godly men called preachers, wholly men of God.

Families, participating in a mass murder, killing in the name of their God. A god I never want to know or believe in if this is what he or she wants us to be. Brotherly love, peace, hope and charity is not being demonstrated, only war, hate and destruction
It's unfortunate Martha, because you get it. Your eyes are open, able to see things as they truly are, not pretending not to know or trying to spin the truth into a morbid fantasy. Just telling it like it is.
Thank you.
introduced and supported

Sent by Dock | 7:28 PM ET | 07-30-2008

For Jim Anderson.. America has apologized for those Japanese Americans that were placed in interment camps during WWII.. Oh and paid them as well...
I wonder how does Jim Anderson feel about the Jewish community that were exploited in the most vile way possible under Hitlers rule. The American Indians that got the shaft.
I am Black not African American because my ancestors did not migrate here like the Irish and I did not choose that phrase. Anyway, I would smile when Carolyn Bryant is brought to justice. The apology is to little to late...

Sent by Kalonji | 7:59 PM ET | 07-30-2008

uhh Jim.... Sorry to clue you in on this, buddy, but the apology to Japanese-Americans happened in 1988 under Ronald Reagan. And it is NOT about money, it IS about finally getting a simple "we're sorry" from the country that has consistently treated black folks as "less than". case in point: My father was a WWII vet, but constantly had his patriotism contested even though he served a country that wouldn't serve him in the nations capital; that tried to disenfranchise him with a sudden, unannounced poll test (Note: the test had a grammar error which my father corrected), and having German POW's treated better than he and his segregated unit.
This is (simply) about respect, Jim... pure and simple.

Sent by JR in Cincinnati | 8:05 PM ET | 07-30-2008

As per Kim Anderson, why shouldn't America pay. America benefited from the black man's free labour. This country would not be the economic powerhouse that it is without that unpaid labour of its black population. So I say it's time to pay up. The debt is due and it has to be paid. Other victimized groups have been financially compensated: the Jews and the Japanese come to mind so why not the African-Americans.

Sent by bernard | 8:48 PM ET | 07-30-2008

FORGIVENESS! It is time for African Americans to forgive and move forward. My son in law is African American and he absolutely refuses to engage in any conversation related to slavery....for the simple reason he did not live in those times, nor did anyone he knows living today. He believes when slaves were freed apologies were complete by that process in and of itself. It is not only African Americans who are discriminated against in todays society. Those with less education or less income than others receive the same type of discriminatory treatment. If you don't have medical insurance and seek medical attention, then can't pay the bill it goes on your credit record. Then when you apply for a job they want to run credit history on you and you end up not getting the job....that happens in all races and we all know the condition of our medical care in the U.S. today. If you have a job and can only afford to live in an area of your home town that is less prestigious than others, you are discriminated against. Let's face it, Americans (all races) find it self fullfilling to discriminate and humiliate the less fortunate of all races rather than reach out a caring hand or offer compassion and empathy. African Americans suffer no more than a poor white, asian, hispanic or other nationality.....The U.S. is in a financial disaster and it affects every race and family every day. It is the choices we make as individuals and how we will allow it to affect our thought process and willingness to be a survivor that is needed. The politicians need to fix America, bring back jobs to our own country, stop allowing credit checks to prevent someone from getting a job (a man with a big title will rob our corporations blind before a low man on the totem pole will) and take care of our own country NOW. CEO's are overpaid while the working man is paid $6.55 hr, leaving him $400 below poverty level. While our government sticks their noses into other countries, in the name of democracy, they are taxing us to death and the rich get richer while the rest of us are headed toward poverty, no matter what we do for a living, we don't control cost of living, the U.S. Government does and it is out of control. What happened 140 yrs ago has nothing to do with the choices African Americans make today for their own lives. We are all being screwed by the political decisions being made for all of us, by all those snobs on the big hill. We should be banning together and protesting the price of gas, food, shelter, clothing and lack of jobs in American instead of focusing on something 140 yrs old that has already been corrected.

Sent by Sharon Norris | 9:26 PM ET | 07-30-2008

I feel there is no way you can put a price on the debt the Unite States owes African-Americans for the injustices of slavery,equal access to education, Jim Crow,etc. This apology is a first step, to acknowledge the wrongs, the abuse, the denial of being a first-class citizen. We must discuss, but we must do it openly and honestly. And yes, I feel that should receive some reparations- similar to the Japanese-Americans. $20,000.00 per person.But that probably that would bankrupt the country, but then you may have such a backlash, that it would set back race relations. But we are owed something! You just can't leave it with an apology.

Sent by Skull Murphy | 9:32 PM ET | 07-30-2008

I continue to find it hard to believe that we continue to be the scape goats for all the ills of the world.
Our ancestories may have benefitted from the use of slave labors, I have yet seen any other nation or group stand up. It was the sub-sahara tribes that captured and brought slaves to the dutch for trade. It was our local native americans (indians) that captured slaves. It is China that uses force labor even to build for the Olympics.
Yet all these "do good" groups go after the US.
We need to look at the whole history and not just a convenient slice.
I am still waiting for an apology from those who throw rocks at me when I came back from Vietnam.

Sent by Charles Swanson | 9:46 PM ET | 07-30-2008

Not only long overdue, but woefully inadequate. Let's not forget, it was only the House of Representatives that passed the resolution. Not to diminish its significance, but few members of the Senate, no one from the executive branch, and most importantly, no great outcry by the American people brought this to pass. A national apology? I think not. In fact, had it not been for the NPR report, I would not be aware of it at all. If, however, as the resolution's sponsor intended, it engenders among other Americans the same deep and empathetic reflection and openness to dialogue expressed by Martha Hall (an earlier contributor); perhaps it can serve as a starting point to genuine penitence and true forgiveness.

Sent by Ernest Tutt | 10:32 PM ET | 07-30-2008

On the day after this historic event, which the New York Times did not report on, the NYT instead featured an article entitled "U.S. Blacks, if a Nation, Would Rank High on AIDS." This is how far we've come.

Sent by K. Wall | 10:57 PM ET | 07-30-2008

P.S.
Please see Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Apology to First Nations (broadcasted nationally, July 11, 2008) for a model of a National Apology.

Sent by Ernest Tutt | 11:06 PM ET | 07-30-2008

I'm a white man born & raised on a midwest farm. But I was blessed by the chance to move to the Caribbean as a very young man and by the experience of living closely with people that looked different but were human just like me. I loved experiencing their warm culture. Years later, after returning to the mainland, perplexed by our larger culture's racial discomfort, I returned to an Ivy League School and majored in African-American Studies. Now 65 years old, living in Harlem, I'm comfortable around anyone's skin color.

In my lifetime, I feel that we've come a long way in understanding and accepting one another, whether it be race, color, creed, national origin, sexual equality, sexual orientation, etc.. We've come a LONG LONG way, but the journey has just begun. It's is hard to believe that it has been 140+ years since the slaves were freed and we're just coming to the point of apologizing. I'll be dead, buried & long forgotten before the journey has gotten a good start at this rate.

Is it too late? Of course! It was too late the day after the slaves were freed. On freedom day, whites should have gotten down on their knees and kissed their feet asking forgiveness. The damage done those 140+ years since is near unforgivable, BUT, apologizing today is better than apologizing tomorrow. It just one more step on a long journey.

Sent by Robert M. Pollock | 11:25 PM ET | 07-30-2008

wow, what a feel good moment..mankind has been enslaving each other regardless of race for millenium..does an "i'm sorry" really change the past? i think not. Does the democratic party(the party of slavery in the 1860's by the way) think this will cure the ills of our times? Should the Romans or egyptians apologise for the indignities they caused their enslaved masses? Where is the outcry for the slavery and genocide currently underway in black dominated countries such as Haiti and Sudan? We need to be accountable for our individual actions and not ask for meaningless apologies from people who had nothing to do with the aforementioned atrosciities........

Sent by steve | 2:59 AM ET | 07-31-2008

Although I have not seen the text of the bill, I wonder if it holds the descendents of Black slaveholders responsible for their involvement in slave trade?

And how does it address persons like Sen. Obama, who are not descended from American slaves?

I suspect that, like most government acts, it oversimplifies the true situation.

Sent by True_Liberal | 9:00 AM ET | 07-31-2008

They could of kept the apology and finally given black foks that long over-due forty acres and a mule.

Sent by storm | 1:36 PM ET | 07-31-2008

Why should Americans today pay for the sins of our forefathers? Nobody alive today in the United States has owned slaves and nobody alive today has been a slave. As previous writers have noted, we are all discriminated against in one way or another and/or are being screwed around by the idiots in our government - at all levels. Whereas I abhor the fact of slavery, I haven't done anything wrong and will not have my tax dollars going to pay for any reperations to anyone. With all the problems the United States has right now, they have nothing better to do with their time than to discuss this matter. That's why their approval rating is at 10%.

Sent by Mark | 2:02 PM ET | 07-31-2008

A part of me says "It is good deed on the part of the United States government to recognize and rectify" another part of me says " apology not accepted"

Sent by Demond | 4:47 PM ET | 07-31-2008

The intent is not to place blame at the feet of, nor solicit an apology from, White America as some have misinterpreted. "The lady doth protest too much me thinks". Rather, it is to acknowledge the United States' shameful role (not exclusive, but nonetheless shameful) in sanctioning, participating, and profiting from the atrocities associated with the "peculiar institution" of slavery and Jim Crow segregation, in obvious contradiction to its founding egalitarian ideals, for the first two centuries of its existence. Something that a nation "...under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all" should have little hesitation or difficulty in doing. In as much as we honor our nations' virtues, we should likewise recognize its shortcomings. To borrow from Lincoln "it is all together fitting and proper that we do this."

Sent by Ernest Tutt | 6:30 PM ET | 07-31-2008

Apologies are appropriate. When you do something wrong, you must name the thing you did so that if your apology is sincere, you not only don't repeat it, but you make amends. The amends have not taken place because race discrimination is so pervasive and a seamless part of our society. Go to ncrc.org and read the latest study on discrimination in mortgage lending. This is not about bad loan products or wrong products given to wrong people, this is about looking at the indicators of how human beings (in this case lenders) destroy the lives of other human beings based on race and greed.

Morris Williams

Sent by Morris Williams | 8:26 PM ET | 07-31-2008

It's amazing how many white Americans do not know or understand Black history! Please take an "Experience in diveristy class" or an African-American history class. Once you take this class than you can comment on my people's history and needs. I'm from Georgia, in my 40's and my birth certificate state's that I am Colored, that's right, therefore, and I accept the apology and will accept reparations. We haven't even had 50 years of Civil Rights. Please READ!

Sent by Miranda | 8:30 PM ET | 07-31-2008

Sharon Norris seems to be in a state of denial, she fails to realize the everlasting mental, emotional and hidden racism that still exist today. Every condition she mention may apply to all races "on paper", but the reality is that the Government rules were initially established to keep down the black man. Therefore, not knowing anyone that ever was a slave is no excuse for common sense, the world of law is NOT color blind; WAKE UP!!

Sent by Phyllis | 9:10 PM ET | 07-31-2008

It is ABOUT TIME! But it is just a beginning. It deserves much publicity. Let the Confederates turn over in their graves!!

Sent by Paul Thompson | 1:32 AM ET | 08-01-2008

I want an apology for my family's suffering at the hands of the United States government for the horrors of "Reconstruction."

Sent by Bruce Arnold | 1:51 AM ET | 08-01-2008

Apologizing is not enough. Billions of Black People DIED...Died my friend, building this country, while white people sipped tea on the rap around porch, getting served by a tired, abused slave. As far as I am concerned America on each and ever ancestors of a slave $$$$. Black women raped repeatedly by slave owners, forced orphanage. Families forced apart for profit, profit for white people. And you all wonder why so many black men leave their children... It is a legacy, started by slavery. It is slavery that taught that behavior. You do what you know. I you daddy left you and you feel you came out OK, he feels his child will be 'alright, I was.' Think about it. I am owed, going back at least 7 generation. My grandparent escaped the crippling south and never looked back...never went back. I use to wonder why my father mother would cry thinking about be back the in HELL. They do call it the dirty south for nothing; it has to do with how dirty the south has always treated black people. We'd cripple the country if they paid US back what they owe us. I'll take the free education (thought college, possible Grad school, and Medical school. What ever that individual wants to do to get their lives together, they should get. I do not care if white people say "I did not do anything, why should I have to pay for something my great grand parents did, BECAUSE YOU ARE ALL REAPING WHAT BLACK SLAVES SEWED. White people are benefiting still, from what salves build, my ancestors build this county, and I know I should be reaping some benefit. The AMA, you owe us too. Free housing, free job training. I tell my friend and my friends children how to do just that every chance I get. I want my reparations NOW. SO I Got mines. I help more get theirs. White people, your grandparent were not denied access to housing, jobs, education, well my ancestors were. My grandfather wanted to be an Engineer, so he joined the Navy, the denied him the opportunity to achieve his dream sole because he was black. I bet if he were white or could "pass" he would have not ended up in the mess hall of a battle ship pealing potatoes. So it is about time the government acknowledges. The Chinese got paid for detainment, I feel we can still sue for what happen in the 40's 50's 60's 70's 80's 90's. I am one of many who will do everything I can to get Black people what they are OWED. Those are the fact like it or not. By any means necessary...CiCi

Sent by Caryn Hart | 3:05 PM ET | 08-01-2008

I hope those who decry the injustices and horrors of past slavery in the U.S. will be just as vocal and active against current slavery, now politely called "human trafficking." The U.S. State Department estimates that between 14,500 and 17,500 humans are trafficked into the U.S. each year. The same practices are to be found in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. The exploitation is unspeakable. Who is going to stand up for the victims today?

Sent by Linda Bunney-Sarhad | 10:20 PM ET | 08-01-2008

It is appropriate to apology when a wrong has been committed by someone or by a nation. When one runs into the back of the vehicle in front whether on the road, street or interstate, it is appropriate to apologize and pay for the damage you or your children or grandchildren caused and not the victim. Please do not try to scape goat the damage caused to the African Americans, "as I have been discriminated against too", your discrimination complaint has not had the impact slavery has on the slaves and the slaves' descendants, and therefore does not fit. Moreover, I am very happy that Mr. Cohen stood up as a leader to apologize to African Americans on behalf of our nation's past becuase many of our Christian churches have not. Unfortunately many members of our Christian churches love Jesus but African-Americans cannot enter their church doors. Yes, I have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal Savior (Acts 4:12), but there are some Christian brothers and sisters who attend church, have a touch time accepting African Americans into their congregations. How can we, as Christians or saved persons, tell the non-Christian or unsaved persons about Christ, when we, ourselves set a bad example of Christianity? The King James Version Bible (1 John 4:20,21) says, "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. Finally, There is neither Jew nor Greek, ("Black nor White"--inserted by me the writer of this email) there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28 KJV

Sent by James from Arkansas | 5:58 PM ET | 08-02-2008

White males raping and breeding thousands of African female slaves and then discriminating against the cross products of those sexual abuse and relations and their descendants. I just don't think any type of apology is enough for the injustices, ethnic cleansing and attempted genocide that occurred in the USA. I say apology not accepted, reparations could be considered however.

Sent by slave | 9:16 PM ET | 08-02-2008

It is strange. I heard absolutely nothing about this alleged apology. If they were sincere about it, it would have been major headlines in all the newspapers and TV broadcast outlets. I think it is just all spin. Blacks cannot really be gullible as to think Whites will apologize for slavery, injustice, ethnic cleansing of their past? Ha Ha

Sent by slave | 9:28 PM ET | 08-02-2008

I have recently discovered the family who owned my paternal ancestors as slaves! They were not just slave owners, but slave traders, as well. They have attained a fortune off of the backs and souls of my family. Reparations are long overdue!

Sent by Judy Lucero, nee Cogdell | 1:07 AM ET | 08-03-2008

As what Caryn said and adding to it, African and Black females were not only raped by slave owners, these females were raped by white overseers, White foreigners and 'dignitaries' passing through, and an assortment of White men who saw an opportunity to have their moments pleasure with defenseless slave women. And when you have sex, babies are produced in most cases. White males were interested in increasing their slave populations and devised laws defining that the slave took status from the mother. "African-"Americans for the most part are not purely African and have lighter skin tones compared to true Africans primarily due to this sexual abuse of African and African descended females and these descendants are still discriminated against. I just do not think any apology will be appropriate or sincere due to the historical sexual abuse of and sexual attitudes about (being sexually easy) Black females.

Sent by slave | 3:24 PM ET | 08-03-2008

Caryn alleges "The Chinese got paid for detainment", and that is enough of a falsehood to call into question her whole post.

I note enough "urbar legend" stuff going around here that it is time to sit down and sort out wheat from chaff. My family is from European immigrants around the turn of the 20th Century, never participated in the abuses of earlier centuries, and yet I am somehow culpable? Gimme a break.

Sent by True_Liberal | 11:22 AM ET | 08-04-2008

Its a start...Its a step...and think about it, who will the money go to? How will they separate descendants of American slavery from say people like me, who are descendants of west indian slavery...for example...Barack Obama would not be eligible but his daughters and wife would be :>) I am being facetious but the point is we dont put value into words anymore but words are not pointless...because there have been many legislation that has been written to write this wrong but one of the main reason that we have not gotten closer is about peoples' thoughts and emotions...social attitudes have lagged behind legislations, maybe these words will push social attitude one step closer

Sent by Monique | 6:01 PM ET | 08-04-2008

I guess True_Liberal condones the historic rape of slave women for 2 centuries and the negative effects that had on the children (or products) born as results of those systematic rapes -- ethnic cleansing no different if not worse than what occurred in Yugoslavia. I thought the USA was a defender of human and women's rights not an abuser of human rights.

Sent by slave | 7:44 PM ET | 08-04-2008

I am encouraged by this small step. We are not leaders of the movement. Canada and Australia previously apologized to their native populations. Nonetheless acknowlegement of the wrong our country committed to such a large group of people can begin the process of healing. These words alone will not undo all the wrongs, but they change the conversation. I add my voice to the House of Representatives and apologize, on behalf on my country, to all who suffered and suffer as a result of slavery and Jim Crow.

Sent by Joan Beck | 9:29 AM ET | 08-06-2008

I am dismayed by the two talkative puerile guests who revealed themselves as imbeciles for being ignorant and disrespectful to Japanese Americans who were incarcerated in WWII. They belittled the apology and reimbursement President Ronald Reagan and Congress made available to those who lost properties and liberties. The guests were more interested in monies. Of the seven Japanese Americans I know who were incarcerated, I talked to six (at separate occasions) about their experiences and opportunity to get reimbursed. All six emphasized the importance of the apology and were not interested in filing claims. The opportunity for claims is not "reparations" but reimbursement for properties unlawfully taken from them. Further, the reimbursement is limited to those who suffered losses and do not extend for generations and generations. Of the millions made available by Congress, I wonder how much were claimed?

Your two guests owe Japanese Americans an apology. As many can recall, the sons volunteered for the 442nd and fought in WWII with uncommon valor in Europe while their parents and siblings were under guard at remote locations. NPR could take this opportunity to feature a program of Japanese Americans who were incarcerated and get their informed views of their experiences, reimbursement availability, and the apology from the US Government. I worked with and shared churches with only a few who were incarcerated; their numbers are being reduced each year as they age. They emphasized how pride and honor (that were taken away) are more important than money. Others can learn a lot from these dedicated Americans.

Next time feature guests who are knowledgeable and respectful to others instead of the two buffoons who delighted in listening to themselves.

Sent by dellopen in Dayton, OH

Sent by Dellopen | 10:37 AM ET | 08-06-2008

This apology is long overdue. I have been waiting for the day that the U.S. Government would apologize for slavery, but if it was not for this website I would never have known. I agree that an apology is not enough, but it is a start. Black people should be paid reparations - they were the people that built the country, although no amount of money can make up for what happened. Kalonji: I will also smile when Carolyn Bryant is brought to justice, however Jim Anderson might not even know who that is.

Sent by Melissa Finnell | 4:24 PM ET | 08-06-2008

Finally, my ancestors can rest in peace. And, those that are still alive to tell their story about growing up during Slavery and Jim Crow can now move on.
Absolutely not!
Is an apology enough for all that African Americans endured during slavery? Is the current group of House Representatives responsible for finally deciding to document an apology for slavery? Besides, the men in the House now aren't the same group that was in authority then. As of today, the mood, after the apology was announced, still seems the same. Will the offspring to our ancestors receive individual copies of the apology in the mail?
Maybe not!
Slavery wasn't just an occurrence that went wrong, involving hundreds of thousands of countless men, women and children. Black-skinned men were de-sexed just because they were breathing. Black-skinned women were sexually humiliated because the "house master" owned them.
This era of Jim Crow made a mockery of black men and women that were supposedly freed. Names such as "Zip Coon" and "Jim Dandy" were just a few used to insult and devalue blacks.
Ok, so what the Freedman's Bureau was established to help blacks transition from slavery. The Freedman's Bureau was created in 1865 for the purpose of providing educational and employment resources to thousands of freed slaves. Did this bandage up the psychological and emotional abuse that some African Americans lived to embrace? Through Emancipation, during the Presidency of Abraham Lincoln, the slaves were able to leave plantations; they could travel north if they wanted; they could even seek after relatives that were displaced. For some of the slaves, leaving the plantation was a huge decision. Some of them were given some type of food to eat, and had a place to sleep at night. At this point, for some freed slaves, leaving their places of comfort wasn't an option. Why accept freedom physically, when psychologically many were still enslaved?
One contribution that enabled blacks to better themselves after Emancipation is mentioned in "Up from Slavery", an Autobiography written by Booker T. Washington. Within the reading, he gives examples of why he established his Tuskegee Institute. His facility, located in Tuskegee, Alabama, gave African Americans the opportunity to not just work with their hands, but to also grow academically and socially. This was developed after Reconstruction in 1865, where the South started to rebuild after the Civil War.
The apology for Slavery and Jim Crow was crafty, yet safe because it's not one person the apology is extended to, but entire generations to come. When apologizing to one person, that person can choose to forgive or not to forgive. Afterwards, you both move on. But Slavery and Jim Crow affects more people than media outlets such as TV, radio, news paper and the internet could ever reach.
Slavery and Jim Crow were intentional and deliberate actions that ultimately forced and entire race to live less than what they were created as, human beings.

Sent by Kierra J. | 4:27 PM ET | 08-07-2008

Viewing your comments thus far, I find it unpleasant but not difficult to believe how cowed many African Americans have gecome; particularly those who deny or ignore the devastation too many of our people continue to suffer. That devastation is the direct result of the residuals of Slavery and Jim Crow. I am also dismayed that a press long-tauted as being liberal has ignored this event; that it has not made headlines on either coast, nor fostered any discussion, which underscores the indifference of the media and the apparent apathetic nature of our Tabloid Nation. Following his apology for the Tuskegee experiment, I also wrote President Clinton and suggested that he take the next, obvious step, and issue an apology to all African Americans for Slavery. At that time, I believed that such an apology would have had a major impact on the culture itself, at minimum healing some of the more superficial wounds. Clinton chose to answer such letters over the air, stating that America was not ready to spologize at the time. I am astonished that this has apparently changed. In what ways? As has been pointed out, the current administration remains silent on the matter. Perhaps this stunning non-event has been neutralized by "the Obama factor."

Sent by Wanda Coleman | 3:49 PM ET | 08-09-2008

Slavery still exist today things have not change, it's just in a higher form like my utilities bills are higher, than whites and that is a fact, credit debts,not being able to get a descent education, black boys and girls being sented to prison unjustice still, not being able to buy food sufficiently...while am I still judge by the color of my skin today and that is a fact....There is a penalty for the wrongs done to innocent people, my birth right was stolen from me even my name was stolen from me....My whole identity was robbed from me and you ask me while am I still having problems...try calling someone by their wrong name and see if they respond.Black people don't ask for much...we are always' forgiving people...we nurse your babies when you couldn't, we fed you guys and took care of you when we couldn't take care of ourselves...and you know black people still suffer as a people.

Sent by Deborah Bullock | 10:31 AM ET | 08-16-2008

Ignorance is not sublime! The Black race is a people that are still suffering, and will always suffer because of the color of their skin. An apology? Words are easily spoken, but action is unbeatable. An apology just places a cheap band-aid on the problem; it does not resolve the matter.
When blacks are treated equally, then an apology is enacted. As long as there is unequal treatment in the job market, which there is. As long as there is racial profiling, simply because of the color of your skin, as long as the prison ratio of Blacks terribly outnumbers those of White/Latino, an apology is merely empty words. Wake up! Money cannot restore the injustices, neither will an apology, as long as blacks continue to fight, or be on the defensive because of their color, an apology means nothing. Although Rep. Cohen's intentions may be benevolent towards the suffering of the black race through slavery and the Jim Crow laws, let us continue to work at making it an even playing field and not one so unbalanced that the black man can never forget the sufferings of our ancestors.

Sent by Gloria | 12:51 AM ET | 08-17-2008

This country, black or white is not ready for an apology. When one can look upon another without seeing their color first, then perhaps the apology has been accepted. I believe firmly, that until the end of time, the black man will continue to suffer because of the color of his skin. Lets just get real, "It ain't over til the fat lady sings", and she will not sing til the day Christ comes. An apology is empty words, meaningless verbs and nouns used as a salve for the suffering of Blacks from slavery, til this present day. Stop racially profiling blacks riding along minding their business. Stop tossing our resumes into the trash bin when we are desperately seeking employment. Stop turning your nose up when we walk into exclusive restaurants, or McDonald's for that matter. Stop locking up our young brothers in prison because they were forced to make the decision to sell drugs or be evicted and/or go hungry because no one would hire them for reasonable pay. Stop introducing new comedic sit-com's on TV with an all white cast. Stop portraying blacks with negative undertones via the news media. If a space alien sat down to watch television, they would see blacks as aliens because there is so few of us in that medium, be it commercials, talk shows, movies, especially sit-coms. When white women stop berating the black woman by sashaying their bodies before our black men, it does not matter their shape or size, their beauty or their ugliness, because they are white, they feel superior to the black woman. When the black woman earns equal pay for the same job performed as a white woman/man; when blacks are viewed as an equal in this country, then perhaps an apology can been deemed acceptable. The immediate question is, when will these things be?

Sent by Gloria | 8:22 PM ET | 08-17-2008

THERE IS SOMETHING TO BE SAID REGARDING OUR PRESIDENT'S RELUCTANCE TO BE APART OF THE HEALING THAT THIS NATION NEEDS, FOR IT WILL BENEFIT THE ONES THAT APOLOGIZE AS WELL AS THE ONES THAT ARE APOLOGIZED TO. THE HIGHEST OFFICE OF THE LAND HAS THE POWER AND THE PRIVILIDGE TO MENTOR OUT A PARTICULAR NATIONAL CONCIOUSNESS TO IT'S CITIZENS, YET CHOOSES TO REMAIN GROUNDED IN THE BELIEF THAT NO APOLOGY IS NEEDED. WE HAVE SPONNED A GLOBAL CONCIOUSNESS AS WELL DUE TO OUR GLOBAL INFLUENCE, THAT ANY PEOPLES OF COLOR ARE LESSOR, SUBJECTS OF SUSPICION AND THAT THEY NEED TO BE OVERSEEN BY A EUROPEAN GOVERNING BODY. IF AMERICA THINKS ITSELF GREAT, THEN IT MUST GO ABOVE AND BEYOND IN REGARDS TO HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES SO THAT WE CAN HONESTLY HOLD OTHER COUNTRIES RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR VIOLATIONS. WE NEED TO UNLOCK ALL THE INFORMATION THAT GIVES A VOICE TO THE PAINFUL CONTRIBUTUIONS OF AFRICAN. AFTER ALL, SOME OF LIBERIA'S CITIZENS ARE ACTUALLY DECENDENTS OF AMERICAN AFRICAN SLAVES THAT OPTED TO LEAVE AMERICA IN THE "BACK TO AFRICA MOVEMENT" OF THE 1920'S. THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT NEEDS TO LANGUAGE THE APOLOGY TO IT'S CITIZENS AND APOLOGIZE FOR THE THIRST FOR DEATH AND VIOLENCE THAT AMERICA HAS EMBRACED AS A WAY TO BE IN THE WORLD. WE ARE DESPERATELY IN NEED OF REAL LEADERSHIP INSTEAD OF THE PREVADING POINT OF VIEW THAT AFRICAN AMERICAN'S ARE LESSOR IS SOME CORRECT DIVINE WAY OF THINKING; AFTER ALL OUR RELIGIOUS HISTORY HAS ALSO PARTICIPATED AND BEEN AN EXTENSION OF SLAVERY FOR CENTURIES. HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A PORTRAIT OF A BLACK ANGEL IN ANY CHURCH ANYWHERE? WHEN IT COMES TO ANYTHING DEALING WITH HEAVEN, HAVE YOU EVER SEEN AFRICAN SUBJECTS PLACED ANYWHERE IN A PORTRAIN OTHER THAN AT THE BOTTOM OR UNDER THE DEVEL? THE PLAYING FIELD HAS TO BE LEVELED. HOW CAN ONE THINK THEMSELVES SUPERIOR, WHEN THEY MANIPULATE THE CONDITIONS IN WHICH THEY WIN? UNEARNED PRIVILIDGE IS AT AN EPIDEMIC PITCH FOR EUROPEAN DESENDENTS AND SOME ARE TOTALLY AWARE THAT THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BENEFIT AS A RESULT OF THIS. WITH OUR GLOBAL IMAGE SO TARNISHED AS A RESULT OF TREATING OTHER PEOPLE AND OTHER COUNTRIES AS IF THEY ARE APART OF THE PLANTATION, A SHIFT IS NECESSARY FOR ALL AMERICANS. AMERICA CLAIMS TO BE CHRISTIAN, SO WHEN WILL OUR GOVERNMENT BEGIN TO REFLECT THE "LOVE YE ONE ANOTHER AS YOU LOVE YOURSELF" IN THE WAY IT TREATS PEOPLE/COUNTRIES? WHAT DO THE EVANGELICALS REALLY STAND FOR?

Sent by Kathleen Hunt | 5:08 PM ET | 08-23-2008

I am not black but white. I am not rich but a poor middle class woman. I struggle every day to pay bills and buy food. My ancestors were not slave owners but came from other countries. I did not have anything to do with slaves nor did they. I believe that the act of slavery was heinous, criminal, inhumane and wrong. I cannot comprehend of how one can be so cruel.

I do not judge people by the color of their skin. I see what's inside of a person. Why can't we all get along? Why must there still be racism in this country? We are all human beings!

There have been comments on issues of why black men leave their families. You cannot trace this back to slavery. Other races leave their families too. Who do the white people of today blame for their problems? People can only blame themselves. How long are people going to blame their situations based on what happened 140 years ago? Aren't we more educated?

Not all whites are descendants of slave owners. Reading these comments make me feel that some are blaming all whites for the act of slavery. It is not true! I believe there is good in people. If the government apologizes for what our forefathers did 140 years ago that is a step in the right direction. I hope we can all move forward. Everyone is equal. Everyone has choices...good/bad. America is a melting pot. Like it or not. That's what makes America. Diversity. People come to America because there is freedom. I don't know how all of America's problems can be solved. If we all work together it may be a start!

Sent by Naive | 1:07 AM ET | 08-26-2008

Truly i can say that this is long overdue, and should've been a national issue,but let us look at reality. Barack obama for President is a physical form of the Congressional apology and his election would be the act that says that we as a people are needed. I hope that he sends reparations to black america in various ways, (tax cuts,job wage and ssi increases,stimulus packages, etc.) so the country doesn't suffer.

Sent by Sam | 12:17 PM ET | 09-03-2008