Excerpt

An older, popular, hit tune, asked the question, What kind of fool do you think I am? The fact that some politicians can apologize for slavery without making any attempt toward meaningful change, cause me to ask, What kind of fool do they think Black people are? This also reminds me of a few past relationships, in which I wanted to ask a similar question.

Recently a Maryland House of Assembly passed a bill expressing profound regret for the role the State of Maryland played in the crime of slavery. North Carolinas Senate unanimously backed a resolution acknowledging its profound regret for the official acts that sanctioned and perpetuated the denial of basic human rights and dignity to fellow humans. In February, Virginia lawmakers also unanimously issued an apology for slavery. Lawmakers in Georgia and Missouri are considering similar legislation. President Bill Clinton also issued an official apology for slavery.

We always, as Muhammad Ali said, Fall for the okedoke. We tend to forget history, and agree to go on with business as usual. An apology is meaningless without working toward meaningful changes. We should be more concerned about making changes in the basic way the country as a whole, and the various states do business, rather than a superficial apology.

Blacks existed in legal slavery from 1619 to 1865, a period of approximately 246 years. Since that time, and even before then, our rights have been provided on a cyclical basis: theyve been given and then taken away, depending on the climate of the times. Were tired of our rights being given to us on a cyclical basis, and then taken away.

By politicians only saying theyre sorry, and not being forced to make substantive change, another opportunity is presented to take us through the same old cyclical process of now you have your rights, and now you dont. Its doubtful if these apologies are sincere. When politicians say theyre sorry, it only provides an opportunity for them to stall until the next generation can organize an even more hardcore resistance. Its easy to understand how our rights have been given to us and then taken away on a cyclical basis throughout history.

Many of us had worked our way out of indentured servitude by the 1660s and had purchased land. We were fully integrated with some other groups in many ways. Then the colonist decided they needed total Black slave labor, with the increase in tobacco production in the colonies. Blacks were then barred from owning land or intermarrying, and relegated to a more permanent form of servitude.

In the 1790s it seemed as though things would improve for Blacks. Blacks were beginning to enjoy greater civil rights. It was soon after the Revolution, the nation was becoming more prosperous, and it was rapidly growing. But with the invention of the cotton gin, a new need for slaves was developed. Thus there was more of a need to suppress, restrict, control, and to rely on this slave labor to produce the cotton necessary to fuel the economy. This meant a reduction in civil rights for Blacks.

During slavery, a few Blacks were buying their freedom, or getting free in other ways. We were making some progress, even though it was slow movement toward our complete freedom and independence. But then the Black codes were legislated, and designed to restrict the freedom of those Blacks who were considered free, to curtail their mobility. Throughout the South, free Blacks found their mobility curbed, their economic opportunities limited, and their civil rights all but obliterated.

After slavery, Blacks began to progress with Reconstruction (1865-1877), which made it possible for some Blacks to get government and high political offices. Republicans, who were more favorable toward Blacks at this time, were backing this movement throughout the South. But Reconstruction ended because Southern Democrats thought Blacks were making too much progress, and President Andrew Johnson supported the Democrats. After Reconstruction, Jim Crow laws were established. These policies severely restricted the freedom of Blacks across the country. Democrats regained control in the South, and conditions returned to pre-Reconstruction politics.

We werent making much progress in 1896, but African Americans still had great hopes and expectations. We were embarking upon an industrial revolution, and some historians seem to think animosity toward Blacks was subsiding in some circles. This period produced such men as Booker T. Washington and W. E .B. Du Bois, but Plessy v. Ferguson decided there was nothing wrong with racial separation, as long as facilities were equal. This case impeded progress and set race relations back a hundred years or more.

These are just a few situations where Blacks progress has been sent into a tailspin; to recall all the situations would be too numerous. Our history is replete with being given our rights and then having them denied. We must fight for continuous linear progress.

Politicians need to improve the quality of life for Blacks who still suffer from the effects of slavery and discrimination, rather than just making an apology. We need a better educational system; more opportunities for employment; more opportunities for Blacks to own and develop their businesses; and, as a whole pass laws to discontinue racism, discrimination, and prejudice. We need to level the playing field, so that Blacks can overcome the effect of past conditioning.

Of course when politicians apologize they say, At least we are making a beginning, and we have to begin somewhere. But this is what has been said throughout various segments of our history, and they always seem to resort to business as usual.

Politicians saying theyre sorry, remind me of what we used to say as children when someone behaved in a manner to disrespect us. We said, I know youre sorry! but what are you going to do about the situation.










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