Breaking News: Nebraska Legislature won't apologize for slavery

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Omaha World Herald

BY MARTHA STODDARD
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU

LINCOLN — The Legislature would express "profound regret" for Nebraska's role in slavery but would not apologize under a resolution advanced Wednesday by the Judiciary Committee.

After a long and sometimes heated debate, the committee amended the resolution to substitute condemnation of racial discrimination for an apology for the wrongs inflicted by slavery and its aftereffects.

The amended resolution no longer expresses the Legislature's "deepest sympathies and solemn regrets" to those who were enslaved and their descendants. But it encourages Nebraskans to teach their children about the history of slavery and its consequences.

The amended measure advanced on a vote of 6-0, with State Sens. Pete Pirsch of Omaha abstaining and Ernie Chambers of Omaha absent.


Read more: http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10305846

[merwin]

1. There's still a lot of racial hatred in this country.

It saddens me.

[Infinite Hope]

48. I won't defend the action, but

I don't see where the legislature passed a resolution of hatred. Also see comment #4.

[keep_it_real]

2. That's a shame: no sympathies and no regrets; in other words.

It was all good.:sarcasm:

[movonne]

3. Well is this kinda going backwards....

[izquierdista]

4. Can't say I disagree

According to the article, "Nebraska never officially allowed slavery." Doesn't one have to be responsible for an act to be able to express regret? Or is this some sort of vicarious regret?

I think it's a shame that Turks committed genocide on the Armenians almost a hundred years ago, but not being a Turk, I don't see why anyone would ask me to apologize for it.

[Catch22Dem]

9. I see your point, and I think it's valid

for what my opinion is worth

[ohio2007]

76. Somebody is making a mountain out of a state north of Kansas

Kansas Nebraska act is being "revised" by historians ?

hmmm.


Someday, it could be argued, Alaska may be considered property of an Asian nation and needs to be given back...right up to and especially the north slope oil fields

[MADem]

5. If CONGRESS would get off THEIR asses and show leadership, it might be easier

for state legislatures to follow suit, using more declaritive language:

Chambers, the Legislature's lone black member, left early in the deBate. He said the issue was one for white people to decide. Before leaving, he said the committee's action would be symbolic.

"When white people are pretending to address an issue that pertains to black people, it becomes diluted and virtually meaningless," he said after the vote.

Sens. Brad Ashford and Steve Lathrop, both of Omaha, objected to including an apology in the resolution.
Lathrop said the Legislature as an institution could not apologize, that only individuals could apologize.
Ashford said Nebraska had only a few slaves and that occurred a long time ago.

He noted that slavery was abolished in what was then Nebraska territory in 1861. Before that time, there were fewer than 20 slaves living in the territory, according to various records.

We can't blame "the provincials" when the ones closest to the seat of power don't have the stones to do the right thing.

[classysassy]

6. Young black men

When the football team try and recruit you,just say no thanks.I bet they'll call a special session of the legislature to reconsider their vote.

[ckramer]

7. When the economy goes bad, white men would do anything

Whew!

[zanne]

8. What is so hard about apologizing?

At some point in history, you have to admit that you were wrong and apologize to the descendants of slaves.

[Critters2]

10. Nebraska was never a slave state. So, I think they got it right.

Missouri, Kentucky, all of the Deep South should apologize for slavery. But states where it was never legal shouldn't be expected to take responsibility.

It seems to me.

[CanonRay]

11. That's what I thought too...

Since there were never any slaves in Nebraska, why should they apologize. What's next, Alaska and Hawaii?

[ChazII]

27. Good point. n/t

[raccoon]

49. It was legal in NY and MA long ago.

And in states where it wasn't legal, were any of the states' residents involved in the slave trade?

[New Dawn]

70. Well, there actually was some slavery in Nebraska

I remember reading about this while studying the history of my state.

There is also a Wikipedia article about it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_slavery_in_Nebraska

[lunaticmind]

12. why apologize? for what?

why would we apologize? why would anyone apologize for something they are not guilty of? who are the people that want someone to apologize for something they are not guilty of? what is their motive?

[matcom]

13. how about to help start a dialogue

If you feel that you need to be Left, Right, or a Centrist; go away.

If you feel that you need to beat some "liberal" or "conservative" drum; go away.

If you feel that politics, or the involvement thereof, is necessary for our country to be saved; go away.

If you feel that politics is necessary to do what is morally and consciencely right; go away.

If you have a politically motivated desire to "help America", then you are part of the problem and not part of the solution.

If you believe in blowing air into a dead horse will bring it back to life, then you believe in politics; please go away.

If you are able to make decisions that may be unpopular, but necessary for the greater cause; WELCOME!

Just remeber ONE thing! God Bless America! :eyes:

[lunaticmind]

16. nice!

Kewl!

[darue]

22. ??? ??? ???

huh? go where? why?

[LanternWaste]

15. Although the individuals in question have little to no responsibility

Let's assume for the moment that the state in question was indeed a slave owning state (although we know it wasn't).

Although the individuals in question have little to no responsibility, the actual governing organization is, for all intent and purposes, the same as it was in the mid nineteenth century. There are many state governments existing today that existed at the time also. That governing body is, I believe responsible and should, I believe offer an apology.

[TCJ70]

26. But Nebraska was never a slave state...

...so what are they apologizing for again?

[LanternWaste]

52. Have you checked the NE legislative web site?

The fact that it did indeed happen-- regardless of whether it happened one hundred yards on the other side of an imaginary red line on a map? :shrug:

Have you checked the NE legislative web site? I'm sure there's a summation of the how's and the why's...

[darue]

21. republican ratfuckers trying to create a divisive issue? - or not?

he's also introduced a law banning life without parole sentences for under 18 year-olds. probably an OK guy I guess...

but...
There's a more detailed story about the resolution here, seems like it would be a fine thing. It never used the word apology, that seem to be short hand the media has attached to it.

http://www.journalstar.com/articles/2008/03/21/news/politics/doc47e306b408288760397132.txt

[bluedigger]

14. Nor should they.

Nebraska became a state in 1867, after the issue was resolved. They did not exist as a political entity and their predecessor, the Nabraska Territories, never legalized it either. If it is politically expedient to condemn slavery as an institution, fine, let's all do it every twenty years, in case we forget, but there is no reason for the present day citizens of Nebraska or their representatives to apologize for something they had nothing to do with.

[David Zephyr]

17. Another thing for Americans to be "proud" about. This is sickening.

Don't tell me that racism isnt' alive and prospering in this country in 2008!

This is simply sickening.

Millions of Africans and African-Americans used as property, murdered, raped, beaten and separated from their families for generations and generations with the sanction and approval of federal, state and local governments. A holocaust against children, women and men for hundreds of years and no apology.

What message does that send to their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren living today? What does that say to them about this nation?

SHAME!

[hack89]

18. There was no slavery in Nebraska. nt

[David Zephyr]

19. New Jersey was no "slave state" either, but had no problem making the apology.

Don't think for one second that Nebraska did not benefit financially directly and indirectly from the U.S. government's sanctioning of slavery. Every state in this nation benefitted from that "free labor".

[BadgerLaw2010]

20. How, exactly, did the Nebraska Territory benefit from Southern cotton production?

I'm not seeing how your rhetoric matches reality.

[ohio2007]

77. Nebraska Corn Whiskey and Souther Cotton Gin

that'll enable the altered states of reality in this thread

[orangerevolution]

78. Southern Cotton Gin

Do you get it from the Liquor store?

[FarCenter]

25. According to wiki, New Jersey abolished slavery in 1846

Rather late for a northern state.

So an apology was very appropriate.

[Critters2]

28. "Every state in this nation benefitted from that 'free labor'"

Nebraska wasn't a state at the time. And had a tiny population that was mostly agrarian, without slaves.

[David Zephyr]

31. Strain at the gnat and swallow the camel. You & I benefit even today from unpaid slave labor.

Every state and citizen in this country has benefited from the hundreds of years of "free labor" from Africans and African-American slaves. That includes the so called "free states" as well as the slave states.

We not only all owe them apology, but we owe their ancestors financial reparations.

[Critters2]

33. Again, the state of Nebraska didn't exist, and slavery wasn't legal

in the Nebraska Territory. So, you're suggesting a political entity that didn't exist should apologize because someone broke its predecessor's laws? Doesn't that kind of thinking give you a headache?

[joeglow3]

45. Don't forget. They should also pay them money.

Really, I don't see how a state that did not even exist should pay for something it was not even around to committ.

[LanternWaste]

53. Are reparations also being discussed in the NE legislature?

Are reparations also being discussed in the NE legislature?

[joeglow3]

55. Not that I am aware.

Even if there was, there is no way it would pass.

[customerserviceguy]

71. I was born in Canada

how much of an apology do I owe anyone for slavery?

[MikeNearMcChord]

47. But wait didn't New Jersey have slavery in the colonial era?

It was common in the North, before the revolution and eventually it died out there, so I can see why NJ apologize.

[darue]

24. no, but there were slaves held in the state. not an apology anyway, an expression of regret

seems the media are responsible for calling it 'an apology' the resolution never uses that word.

[Critters2]

29. Were there? Is this documented? And even if there were,

their being slaves wasn't sanctioned by the state of Nebraska (which didn't exist at the time) nor by the Territorial government, which, in the slave/free conflict was "free".

[David Zephyr]

30. Tell that to the slaves that were held there. Oh, that's right, they're dead.

And yes, it is documented that there were slaves held in the Nebraska territory.

And that is the smaller issue. Every state and citizen in this country has benefitted from the hundreds of years of "free labor" from Africans and African-American slaves. That includes the so called "free states" as well as the slave states.

[Critters2]

32. Could you cite the documentation? Thanks. nt

[darue]

34. well

there's leads to that documentation and more background info in this story:
http://www.journalstar.com/articles/2008/03/21/news/politics/doc47e306b408288760397132.txt

[Critters2]

36. t’s unclear how many slaves or slave owners lived in Nebraska,

but any reports cite low numbers compared with southern states. In 1859, William Taylor introduced a bill to prohibit slavery in the territory, saying, “There is no distinction in principle between holding one human being in bondage and 10,000.”

So, apparently, there was strong anti-slavery sentiment in Nebraska at the time. Also, much participation in the Underground Railroad, as there was in my native Iowa.

How many Southern states have apologized for slavery?

[darue]

42. it's not an admission of responsibility, just an expression of regret

of course, who can say what "official expressions of sentiment" are worth, but it seems harmless and an honorable thing to do, since it's been brought up. I think something like four or five southern states have issued some sort of proclamation of regret or apology on the matter of 'slavery' - generally meaning the Africa to America slave-trade. of course, I'm told there is still slavery out there... and that there was other flows of people, some other countries have issued similar statements. the anti-slavery campaign may not be totally won yet...

[David Zephyr]

38. Here.

"Meanwhile, some migrant farmers from southern states brought a small number of slaves with them into the territory. In Nebraska the people never voted for slavery, but people coming here from the South brought slaves with them." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_slavery_in_Nebraska

mycritters2, indeed, the Kansas-Nebraska Act itself was a railroad "deal" allowed by Southern states to kill the Missouri Compromise and set the stage for the Civil War.

The bigger issue is how all of us today have benefited from hundreds of years of unpaid slave labor. You might read up on how white wealth passed from generation and from corporation to corporation up until today derived from that wicked, wicked forced labor of women, men and little children.

How petty, how small the state house of Nebraska looks today. Shameful. Absolutely shameful.

[Critters2]

40. Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas all paid heavily for their anti-slavery sentiments

at the time. Many good people in these states suffered arrest or violence for their work in the Underground Railroad and abolition movements. I served a church in Iowa that was an Underground Railroad station (though that building had burned down years ago). A lot of my parishioners were descended from New Englanders who came west specifically to keep Iowa (and Nebraska and Kansas) free. I don't think these people need to apologize. I just don't. Sorry.

Again, how many Southern states have apologized?

[LanternWaste]

54. Wouldn't Plessy v. Ferguson...

Wouldn't Plessy v. Ferguson almost guarantee the existence of slaves in pretty much every state and territory, regardless of whether that state or territory was free or not...?

[Critters2]

61. Plessy v. Ferguson wasn't about slavery. It was argued in 1896, well after slavery ended.

Plessy v. Ferguson was about separate but equal accommodations, specifically about a railroad in Louisiana having separate cars for black and white passengers. The Supreme Court ruled that that railroad and other public and private accommodations could be operated with "separate but equal" facilities for black and white citizens.

So, Plessy v. Ferguson might have allowed for separate black and white water fountains, schools, buses, but it would not have "guaranteed the existence of slaves" in Nebraska or anywhere else.

And, for the record, Plessy was overturned in 1954 with Brown v. Topeka Board of Education.

[petronius]

67. You're thinking of the Dred Scott decision (1857)

[zanne]

44. I couldn't agree more, Zephyr.

Every once in a while, I see things on DU that make me feel ashamed.

[David Zephyr]

64. Thank you, zanne.

:hi:

[NashVegas]

23. Is This An Election Year Thing Because of BO's Candidacy?

Great. Yum.

If he gets the nom, expect to see more of these being pushed by Repukes for a wedge issue.

Sen. Dwite Pedersen of Omaha, who introduced Legislative Resolution 284, said an apology would have been stronger and was his preference. But he said the resolution still is valuable because it raises awareness about slavery in Nebraska and expresses regret.

[orangerevolution]

79. If you are always referring to Obama as BO,

I am going to start to believe he is a smelly muslim. sarcasm

[David Zephyr]

35. We all owe the descendents of slaves more than apologies. We owe big money for their ancestors labor

The great Malcolm said it better than anyone else ever could on the subject of reparations:

"If you are the son of a man who had a wealthy estate and you inherit your father's estate, you have to pay off the debts that your father incurred before he died. The only reason that the present generation of white Americans are in a position of economic strength...is because their fathers worked our fathers for over 400 years with no pay...We were sold from plantation to plantation like you sell a horse, or a cow, or a chicken, or a bushel of wheat...All that money...is what gives the present generation of American whites the ability to walk around the earth with their chest out...like they have some kind of economic ingenuity. Your father isn't here to pay. My father isn't here to collect. But I'm here to collect and you're here to pay."

[Critters2]

37. Malcolm also said

"You can't legislate good will - that comes through education."

[David Zephyr]

39. Why are you so defensive?

Me thinks you protest too much.

I won't respond to you anymore.

I know you well enough now.

I don't like you.

[Critters2]

41. I'm someone who loves the people of the prairie states and knows their history.

I have deep respect for the people of the Plains states. It rankles me to see them held accountable for something they didn't do--indeed, for something their ancestors opposed.

We all benefit from all kinds of mistreatment of human beings. Do you buy products made in China? (I do my damnedest not to, btw) If so, when will you apologize to the workers of China? Do you eat meat? When will you apologize to the underpaid immigrants who work in the factory farms and slaughterhouses, the rural communities destroyed by the wage suppression of the meat industry and the environmental damage of the factory farms, and the animals who suffer unimaginable cruelty so you can have bacon?

No one's hands are clean, but holding accountable those who bear as little responsibility as the people of Nebraska just seems silly.

[joeglow3]

46. PERFECTLY SAID!!!

I will respect David when he shows me the reparations he pays to China, Korea, Vietnam, etc. for all the products he buys on the cheap because of their mistreatment of people. The fact is that if you opposed something from the start, your ACTIONS then speak MUCH louder than any hollow words today. Some people just want to make an issue where there is none.

[EFerrari]

59. I asked the same question on another thread.

It's saddening to see people be so mean spirited on this progressive board.

Thanks for you post, David.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

83. Wow that's mature!

Why engage in debate when you can cover your ears?

David

[acmavm]

43. Don't be an ass. I don't owe anybody anything unless I have/had

a say in their actions.

Here's what I said in another thread and it goes double for this one:
________________________________________________________________________________________________
A person should apologize if they're gullible enough to believe that they are responsible for things that happened way before they were born and that their apology will undo whatever wrong is in question.

Since EVERYBODY has been SOMEBODY'S slave since Grok picked up the first heavy stick and whacked Attu over the head and forced him to work for him sometime back in the beginning of human history, I don't think we can ever apologize enough. Hell, the whole damn planet should spend the day apologizing. But we need to do a damn good job of it. And not be a bunch of politically correct frauds.

So, in that spirit I hereby apologize to everyone everywhere who lives in a country that was ever invaded by any foreign nation/city/state and the inhabitants hauled off to slave for their conquerors. Now where do I send the check?
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Why do you have such a guilt complex. There's treatment available I do believe.

[rayofreason]

50. I've got Neanderthal DNA!

At least I think I do. Or even if not, I am speaking for them so you better listen.

And you better pay up HOMO SAPIEN!!! All that you own is because of your extermination of the Neanderthals and the other species of Homo that at one time coexisted with you. So "I'm here to collect and you're here to pay."

And don't get me started on what your ancestors did to the dinosaurs, egg thief!!

</sarcasm>

[Throd]

57. Cro-magnon reparations NOW!!!

More blood on European hands.

[-..__...]

73. It would be the honorable and proper thing to do...

for the Egyptian government to apologize and pay reparations to the children of Moses for their forced servitude.

[EstimatedProphet]

81. All eukaryotic life must apologize to prokaryotic life NOW!

The Eukaryotic Proliferation 2 billion years ago thoughtlessly shoved aside the prokaryotes!

[Dr. Strange]

82. Meh, they deserved it.

Get a nucleus or get out of the way, I always say.

[DrCory]

63. I benefit...

from the hard labor of my ancestors who were abolishonists and soldiers of the Union army. The survivors went on to struggle against anti-Irish discrimination and abuse of workers by business as union activists. They were white, poor, and paid a debt which should be honored.

[Critters2]

65. My cousin still farms the land my ancestors got in payment for fighting for the Union. nt

[customerserviceguy]

72. Have you come up with a formula

as to who should pay, and how much? I was born in Canada, to French-Canadian parents, how much do I owe? Will your formula allow for a reduction for people whose ancestors fought on the side of the North in the Civil War? Will it make an exception for Native Americans, who lost so very much (maybe more) as well? How about the side getting paid? Will Barack Obama get nothing, because his father came from Kenya? Will he have to pay, because his mother's side of the family might have benefitted from slave labor in their distant past?

I'm not trying to be a complete jackass here, but the whole idea of "reparations" would destroy any hope for racial harmony we might have in our lifetimes. I'm perfectly content with Sen. Obama's idea that raising the level of the schools where black children study to the level of the schools where white children study is the right idea. We can do the same with housing, as well.

[Squatch]

51. Slavery abolished in 1865....Nevada statehood in 1867

:crazy:

[slackmaster]

66. Emily, this thread is about Nebraska

[didact]

56. Sons-a-bitches!

:eyes: :sarcasm:

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

68. Sarcastic in what sense? Please elaborate. -nt

[GoddessOfGuinness]

58. As we haggle over whether individual states should apologize...

Someone else is forced into slavery. It's real, it's happening now, and we're all benefitting from it.

It's time to stop worrying about apologies and start doing something to end slavery.

[Critters2]

62. Well said. Thank you. nt

[orangerevolution]

80. What are YOU doing?

Let's start there. Do you have any new ideas to end this madness?

[tidy_bowl]

60. I am still waiting....

....for homo sapiens to apologize for the genocide of cro-magnon man. I so tied of these 'apologies' to this group and that group just to feel good about ourselves. I wasn't around and have never owned slaves nor did my ancestors and I refuse to apologize for something I had no part in. It is silly.

[Jack Rabbit]

69. What can you expect for Nebraska?

After all, their idea of a Democrat is Ben Nelson.

[ohio2007]

74. Corn huskers were a big slave holding state ? I doubt it

I doubt that they crossed the Mason/Dixon line before and during the civil war.

How many real slave states apologized ?

[-..__...]

75. There's a map at the posted link

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10305846

VA,NC,Al,FL (and MD, NJ).

States with pending legislation... MO, GA.