WP,pg1: In Virginia House of Delegates, 'Profound Regret' on Slavery

[DeepModem Mom]

In Va. House, 'Profound Regret' on Slavery
Delegates Unanimously Pass Resolution of Contrition About State's Role
By Tim Craig
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, February 3, 2007; Page A01

RICHMOND, Feb. 2 -- The House of Delegates unanimously approved a resolution Friday expressing "profound regret" for Virginia's role in the slave trade, a significant act of contrition by a body that used to start the day with a salute that symbolized the state's Confederate heritage.

The resolution, one of several that lawmakers are considering as part of the 400th anniversary celebration of the founding of Jamestown, is one of the biggest steps any state has taken in offering remorse for the enslavement of millions of Africans and Caribbean islanders during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.

The statement also condemns the "egregious wrongs" that European settlers inflicted on Native Americans.

"The General Assembly hereby expresses its profound regret for the Commonwealth's role in sanctioning the immoral institution of human slavery, in the historic wrongs visited upon native peoples, and in all other forms of discrimination and injustice that have been rooted in racial and cultural bias and misunderstanding," the resolution reads.

Del. A. Donald McEachin (D-Richmond), whose great-grandfather was born a slave, sponsored the resolution. But GOP leaders wrangled over the language for weeks, fearful that an outright apology could lay the groundwork for a debate over reparations. Although he would have preferred an apology, McEachin said the final version "doesn't sugarcoat the matter either."...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/02/AR2007020201203.html

[Orsino]

1. "Regret" is a mighty funny word to use...

...when anyone who could meaningfully apologize has been dead for nearly a century.

[Dracos]

2. Sounds like a show to me saying

a look at us!!! If they want to show to regret put their money where there mouth is.Bull shit walks but money talks.

[Virginia Dare]

3. Highly appropriate when taken in the historical context...

of the 400th Jamestown Commemoration, which will be a glorification of white male European accomplishments. A simple and forthright acknowledgement that there wouldn't be a Virginia, and likely not a United States, were it not for the use of slave labor, largely Africans stolen away from their land and people and sold and used at obscene profits.