An Apology for Slavery in Tennessee?

The Tennessean ran an article today about the movement across the country to apology for slavery.  I would hope that few people reading this would think that slavery is anything but the most disgraceful thing in our nation’s history.

However, what does an apology really do?  Not much.

“An apology doesn’t really solve anything,” said Frank Dobson, director of the Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center at Vanderbilt University. “You’re sorry? I would say, ‘OK, now what are you going to do about it? Are you going to mentor little black kids in east Nashville? Are you going to work for social justice?’… Tie the apology to policy.”

Well said.  Another problem I have with it is that WHO is doing the apologizing?  I am not  – nor have I ever been – a slaveowner.  I don’t know any slaveowners.  So, for people who committed no transgression against humanity to apologize… well, that makes little sense to me.

Though we are descendants of our ancestors, we certainly cannot be responsible for their actions.  But, if it makes people feel good, why not do it?  But, does it even do that?  I have no African American friends who are awaiting an apology.  I don’t feel that they are impacted by an evil institution that ended a century and a half ago.

In fact, the only group that benefits from an apology are the politicians who continue to push the buttons of race that divide us.  Some may be well-meaning.  However, others are likely motivated by the desire to continue to keep us fragmented to keep their careers intact.