Oh! One of my favorite threads.

So, to your first point. If you look at history (again) you will see that the Union did not have a policy of freeing slaves in exchange for fighting. Only free men were allowed to join black regiments, as well as in some cases, "contraband" (a name given to runaway slaves tagging along with the Union army).

In fact it was the British in the Revolutionary War, and the South in the Civil War who had slaves fight in exchange for freedom.

To your second point, should America apologize for slavery?

Hmmm...

Who is America? I'm a part of America and I will not apologize for slavery, simply because I have had no part of slavery.

So, where will you draw the line? Will black people apologize for slavery?
They are apart of America as well.

What about Jews, Asians, and South Americans who are in the US.
Should they apologize for slavery?

Your statement, "America should apologize for slavery." is so broad that the only thing it will do is intensify racial conflict, instead of healing it.

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High school Extempers are quite possibly the most brilliant people on Earth.

Usually, the government. It represents the entire U.S. population.

I doubt he's asking for apologies from individuals, but rather Americans as a whole, again, that's the government. You wouldn't feel you are apologizing for something you have not personally done since you wouldn't be personally apologizing.

I thought it was easy to see his point when he said America should apologize for slavery.

[quote=Doctor Webley;174798]Oh! One of my favorite threads.

So, to your first point. If you look at history (again) you will see that the Union did not have a policy of freeing slaves in exchange for fighting. Only free men were allowed to join black regiments, as well as in some cases, "contraband" (a name given to runaway slaves tagging along with the Union army).

In fact it was the British in the Revolutionary War, and the South in the Civil War who had slaves fight in exchange for freedom.



Lincon said " my paramount objective in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or destroy slavery.If i could save the Union without freeing any slave, i would do it and if i could save it by freeing all the slaves i would do it and if i could do it by freeing some and leaving others alone, i would also do that" the fighting in the south wasn't trying to abolish slavery it was only to save the Union! The final proclamation issued on Jan 1 1863(cheack the date i might be wrong) freed the slaves only in the states that had rebelled against the Union,.

The states that remained loyal to the union slavery was protected by the constitution. This shows that Lincon only freed the slaves in the south to piss off the south and to take their property.Slaves were just looked at as property, these actions of course gave rise to the kkk and mistreatment of blacks in the south. The union army as they swept through the south they used those same slaves on the front line of their battles. Only when Lincon died in april 1865 8 months later came the 13th amenment 3 years from Lincons emancipation proclomation. (this is why the number 13 is considered bad luck)



well then you dont understand you are confused


wow how simple is that, you understand perfectly

If it came to a vote, I would vote to apologize, but how do we get it on a ballot? Do we ask our representatives to pass a resolution? What do you suggest?

Treatment of Wright is comparable to Jesus? Who knew that pastors in black churches were so funny. I might start attending, 'cause I get kinda bored with facts.

I have another question. If whites apologize for slavery, can we get back all the money spent on affirmative action and other preferential treatment given to blacks because of previous treatment for oh, about 30+ years?

Was that appreciated? Do you think words will be?

If the Government represents the people of the United States (A definition I can agree with) then said government has absolutely zero reason to apologize for slavery.

As no person alive has legally owned a slave, nor has anyone alive legally plaid any role in practicing the institution of slavery, there is no reason for a government which represents these people to apologize.

No person alive, nor the current government bears any responsibility of actions 200 years ago. We might as well apologize for for serfdom in feudal Russia if you think we should apologize for slavery.

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Welll, I have mostly thought that "actions speak louder than words" and that Martin Luther King Day was some sort of statement, so until I started hearing Nash saying the US should apologize, I never gave an apology much thought. I think most of US folk now think slavery was bad and had no part in it. I still think actions speak louder than words- but i see nothing wrong in saying we're sorry- just who all else shall we also apologize to?

So, how about an international day of forgiveness, where all can ask for and give forgiveness? Sure would be helpful to spread more of it around. Been helpful in my life. All religions talk of it

Because none of us have anything to be sorry about in the matter. One must commit a wrong before they need apologize. None of us have done so.

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