So, have you heard about the latest resolution from the Senate? Our senate, in the year 2005, has finally passed a resolution to formally apologize for the lynchings of African Americans that occurred up to the 1960's and for not making lynching a federal crime sooner. Better late than never, I guess.
But wait, it gets "better"!
Not all senators co-sponsored the bill. Some senators (approx 20) actually refused to sign this bill for fear that they would not receive the votes pro-lynching racists when re-election rolls around. There is an effort on blogs such as Daily Kos to identify these Senators who feel that receiving racist votes are more important than apologizing for allowing the deaths of innocent Americans. The senate even voted on this late at night so a roll call vote would not be required and those not in support of the measure could be hidden. Those individuals need to be identified and held responsible. Why would any reasonable person not support such a resolution? Perhaps these people aren't reasonable...all the more reason not to allow them to be re-elected.
Unless these individuals have a good reason for not signing (hospitalized, held captive by the evil monkeys in their closet), they are making clear to the voting public that they care more about 'political points' and making niche groups happy than doing what is best for our country. Therefore, those who did not support this measure should not be re-elected at any cost.
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2 comments:
I'd go a bit further and postulate the the vast majority of those who voted for this bill were also pandering to the public, as were those who wrote the bill.
While social apologies are probably good PR tools, they offer little to remedy the past and only perpetuate the victim mentality.
Any reasonable person would look at racists activities as inherently abhorrent, but not necessarily feel the need to apologize for wrongs they did not commit.
While such actions may not be necessary, I would argue that actions such as this apology serve to clear the air and initiate the process of laying the issue to rest so that we can move on.
It seems that it is easier for us as humans to trust one another again when someone accepts responsibility for what has occurred. Sure, there will still be opportunists who will try to perpetuate and use the victim mentality for their own benefit. However, those with sincere concerns can hopefully lay them to rest, let the past remain a lesson rather than a lifestyle, and focus on the issues that affect their nation, culture, etc right now.
Lastly, I will admit that they were pandering to the public; but aren't the public who they are there to serve? Making us happy and improving our way of life should be some of their top priorities. While this may not remedy the past, it can help move focus away from the pains of the past and towards all of us working as a team to benefit us all, equally.
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