Debate Over an Apology for Slavery

Re “An Apology Must Be More Than Words,” Commentary, June 23: I believe in actions that speak louder than words. Rather than hear a “formal statement of regret” (which could be empty of regret), I’d like to witness overt respect of the many positive contributions of the African American and the American African.

I am a recipient of a 1996 President’s Service Award, and while touring the White House with the 19 other recipients last year, I did not see one portrait or painting of any patriot or statesman of color! When I shared this with Mrs. Clinton, she remarked that I was the first to bring that to her attention. Not even Benjamin Banneker has a place of recognition in the White House, and he helped design Washington and chose the sites that honor our great leaders!

There are many others of great worth who adopted a country that did not accept them, who defended a country that would not defend them, and who contributed to the greatness of this country and got little in return. Putting color in the White House would be a giant step in allowing dignity and pride to evolve from the indignities and mutilations of self-respect and hope.

DOLORES SHEEN

Los Angeles

If the U.S. government sees fit, as it surely should, to apologize officially, and for the historical record, for the enslavement of Africans in this country, then so must the other nations involved, including my homeland, England.

And at the same time, though it is never enough, let there be an official apology to the Native Americans, whose land and lives were taken in the whole shameful process.

ANN RAYNER

Van Nuys

What’s wrong with saying we’re sorry for slavery, your editorial asks (June 22). It is wrong because underlying such an apology is the same premise that made black slavery possible in the first place: that one’s worth is determined by genetics.

To apologize means to assume moral blame for a wrong one has committed. What blame do today’s Americans, white or nonwhite, descended from slave owners or recent immigrants, have for the actions of long-dead Americans 130 or more years ago? Is moral responsibility a genetic trait passed on to me from past generations like the color of my skin?

I am an individual responsible for my own actions and I refuse to accept unearned blame on the basis of my race. Far from being meaningless, a congressional apology for slavery is an obscenity and a direct attack on the American philosophy of individualism.

RON M. KAGAN

Mission Viejo

Apologies are usually done by someone who committed a transgression; this generation is not responsible for what our great-grandfathers did to their great- grandfathers. After we apologize to blacks, perhaps we should apologize to the British for the revolution, the Mexicans for the war, the Indians for coming in the first place, etc. Enough--this is history and I make no apology for it.

JOHN R. CARTER

Woodland Hills