Do apologies heal or hurt?

‘Sorry’ says something,” Editorial, July 25

It was refreshing, even though only by a state government, to see the long-delayed apology to the essentially enslaved Chinese workers who contributed greatly to the building of California.

However, what is even more impressive is the record of the descendants of these same Chinese immigrants, who now again face discrimination as they have shown academic achievement that would warrant greater representation at our universities and elite colleges.

They have literally, through education, lifted themselves up by their bootstraps and contributed to our culture and economy.

Nelson Marans

Silver Spring, Md.

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Hollow apologies mean nothing and in fact serve only to stir division and arguments over who was the more victimized in a long history of man’s inhumanity to man.

State apologies usually stem from the rule: “It’s better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.”

Why not look realistically at our current treatment of the indigenous peoples across our country, including undocumented Mexican immigrants?

We are dividing families and criminalizing people who do much of the hard work that makes our “golden prosperity” possible.

Chris Fuentes

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