Variations on the slavery apology

Re “Formal slavery apologies debated,” March 19

Rather than apologize for slavery, a more healing movement might be to simply acknowledge how much it contributed to the prosperity and success of our growing nation. Rather than “profound regret,” we should express gratitude, informed appreciation and profound honor for the contributions made to our nation by those of African descent.

A little while later, we can find the healing words and actions for Native Americans.

ROBIN PHILLIPS

Laguna Hills

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Glenn Richardson, the Republican House speaker of Georgia, thinks no formal apology for American slavery is due because “no one here was in office then.” Perhaps Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe would be more effective if he used that approach in refusing to apologize for the forced sexual slavery of Asian women during World War II.

RALPH SHAFFER

Pomona

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The U.S. government should indeed issue an apology to the families of former slaves. The families of the former slaves, in turn, need to thank the families of the Union soldiers who died fighting the Civil War to free them.

GENE RICHAU

Corona