A literary analysis of toni mo
A literary analysis of toni moSlavery played a central role in the history of the United States. It existed in all the English mainland colonies and came to dominate agricultural production in the states from Maryland south. Eight of the first 12 presidents of the United States were slave owners. Debate over slavery increasingly dominated American politics, leading eventually to the American Civil War (1861-1865), which finally brought slavery to an end. After emancipation, overcoming slavery's legacy remained a crucial issue in American history, from Reconstruction following the war to the civil rights movement almost a hundred years later.
22) A bill has recently been proposed, by a white Ohio congressman to apologize for slavery. That congressman is Representative Tony Hall. Hall resolves "That the congress apologizes to African-Americans whose ancestors suffered as slaves under the constitution of the United States of America until 1865 ("Should the Government" 8). The United States government should not issue an apology to African-Americans for slavery.
An apology by the government for slavery would not heal the damage caused by two hundred forty four years of slavery. Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. Says. "… a simple apology, without anything attached to it seems a little empty to me" ("Should the Government" 9). There should be some type of reparation payments. If not monetary at least the forty acres and a mule which was promised to the slaves for participating in the Civil War. "A government apology for slavery is a valid collective act, but it is valid only if it is accompanied by substance that repairs the damage that is the basis for the apology" ("Should the Government" 9). In order for any type of reparation payments to be given the country would have to approve it. Most people do not approve reparation payments to blacks for slavery. A nightline ABC poll shows that seventy-seven percent of all Americans oppose reparations. Blacks favor reparations. Sixty-five percent of blacks support reparation payments to blacks for slavery. Most white people do not see it as being a good idea. Eighty-eight percent of whites oppose the idea of reparation payments ('Should the Government?." 10)
The governments' apology would not be a direct interpretation of the feelings of America as a whole. Fifty-six percent of Americans oppose the idea of the government apologizing for slavery (Should the Government?." 8) The government and people of today had no control over what went on between 1619 and 1863. The government should not apologize for someone else's actions. When the United States apologized and gave reparation payments to the Japanese-Americans who were sent to concentration camps, the were not only directly involved but responsible for what happened (White). It is one thing to apologize for...
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