by betty warner

Created on: July 22, 2010   Last Updated: July 23, 2010

An apology for the slave trade is certainly necessary. The idea is a unending discussion. That makes it so hard to move forward to the real work. It builds up insensitivity or an irritating normality of our society. Acknowledge it as a fact of history that cannot be denied nor justified. It was a greater than evil act.

This brings us to the nature of the apology. As we all know that at some point we are faced with the" sins of the father". What they leave us is our inheritances.  That crest may contain an ode to glory or a Pandora's box or a combination of both. Slavery was an eclipse over our society whose affects still remain. There should be a day that is marked now for the sake of true history to serve as a reminder of what this nation must never do again. Name it the Great American Apology Day. Or not. That will be the real flag waving courage that is always talked about.

The nature of an apology is that it brings with it a plethora of excuses and justifications for behaviors or decisions.  That's no good for the Great American Apology. It must be open and laced with ownership of this atrocity. The acts must be detailed and the "perpetrators" identified. It is realized that that is a tall order, but slavery was a viscous act against humanity. If those enslaved can live it, then surely those who perpetrated it or turned a blind-eye to it can tell it.

Our inheritance is that which those who came before us left us. It is their legacy. It cannot be changed. The one who inherited the legacy can change it and pass it on. Let’s face it and accept that we are all to this point the product of our decisions and those made for us. That is the only doorway or portal to real change. True change is based on acceptance and truth. Granted, it is very difficult to hold in hand the dastardly deeds of someone else, but it is extremely necessary.

Another thing that comes with an apology is the need for restitution. That which was taken needs to be returned. Consider this. I ambush you and take your watch. I get caught. I give you an apology, yet I keep the watch. The apology is no good. After the apology itself, an offer and plan of correction and restitution is needed to make it truly valid. A valiant and legal plan needs to be instituted to do the research that the victims and the perpetrators will participate in to resolve and validate the apology. This will be a long, long process.

Now, this is the hardest part of the apology. The process of forgiveness is the next and final act. It is a way to give up the pain and anger and hurt and fear on the part of the victims and the perpetrators. Forgiveness does not mean that one forgets. It means that one chooses not to be paralyzed by it anymore. It means that one is able to move and search in positive ways and experience life to its fullest. Slavery did not produce remnants of human beings. We can do this. The perpetual aftermath of this horror can cease.

The slave owners and the slave owners' descendants are left with the task of working along with the slaves and the slaves' descendants to correct this malady. Forgiveness may exist only in the head for a long time. Eventually, through work and cooperation it will move slowly toward the heart. The healing will begin. One is only to wonder what we should name that day.

Learn more about this author, betty warner.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.