Senators pushing slavery apology

Sen. Tony Hill, head of the legislative black caucus, is working with Senate President Ken Pruitt on a resolution to have the Legislature apologize for the history of slavery in Florida.

Hill said the move is inspired in part by the 2006 film "Amazing Grace," a story based on the life of antislavery pioneer William Wilberforce, who fought in the British Parliament to end the slave trade in the British Empire.

Other states have made such apologies, but this would be a first attempt for Florida. And it's notable because the Senate leadership is involved, and is in talks with House leaders.

"Sen. Hill and Sen. Pruitt have been working together on this issue, which is very important to Sen. Hill," said Kathy Mears, Pruitt's spokeswoman. "We are also working with Speaker Rubio and his office on this matter. The resolution is a work in progress and under review."

Meanwhile, Sen. Gary Siplin might have beat Hill to the punch. He filed a proposed apology resolution (SB2808) late Monday "apologizing for the wrongs of slavery and expressing profound regret for Florida's role in slavery."

Comments

Off topic slightly, but why and when was the Confederate war memorial removed from the courthouse square in Quincy? Just curious.

This is exactly why this country is going to hell.We are going to be a third world nation within 1 decade.Where have all the GOOD Normal intelligent people gone????These public officials wiol do WHATEVEr is necessary to stay in office ith big salaries while the people SHAME ON YOUsuffer.SLAVES/INDIANS/etc //That was then people.Your GREAT GREAT GREAT grandparnets did not even go through it!

[jack]

I must not understand politics as well as i thought. no doubt an apology should be issued. Simply issue the apology and lets move on. I don't see why we have to spend hard earned tax payers money to debate this. Slavery is part of our past. not one of our finer moments to say the least. unfortunately, it is taking us way to long to get over the racism brought by slavery and ignorance. the movements by leaders such as Dr. MLK, Jr. and his peers were steps in a great direction. However, if you look at where we are today would they be proud? doubtful. is the black community as a whole proud? I don't know. Will issuing an apology help in the fight against racism? Will it help to get the black youth to strive for a better education? Will it help to get the chip off the shoulder of blacks and whites? Is it worth a try?

We need solid leaders in the black community. It is shameful to think a man like Bill Cosby was shunned simply for stating the obvious. Oh and you bet if we get this apology out ... the great reverends will show up....what has Sharpton and/or Jackson done to help the black community? aren't they supposed to be inspirational and lead by example? if so, how is it that Jessie Jackson had children out of wedlock and didn't even get a slap on the wrist by the media?

Sorry for the long post....simply set up a press conference tomorrow and apologize. Yes, none of us had anything to do with slavery however we do have to recognize our past and if this can help our future than lets get on with it.

[TechRider]

Hey Bland. Guess you went to school here.

[TechRider]

We are all living in a great country that was built on the backs of slaves on land stolen from murdered Indians. Honestly, we should at least say thank you.

[Jessica]

Its always good to remember history for the sake of not repeating it, but this apology is 100+ years too late. Then it would have meant something, but now its just perpetuating the idea that there is some difference amongst people, and for some reason the ancestors who never were slaves deserve an apology from ancestors who never owned slaves.
How about the fact that our welfare system is so skewed to only help minorities, and you have caucasians footing the bill for the same ignorant people who would want this apology. I bet if you asked a hundred well-educated african americans, they don't want this and they resent the poorly educated oafs that would require this to make their historical identity worth something.
How about we just have a clean start and get along because we are all human beings and we deserve respect?

And on a personal note, I don't know if its just generational, but I think if we let go of this angst from the past we can become a better community. I have friends of all races and only when I read this kind of news does it even occur to me. I think its sad that we would even considering undoing all the positive progress we've had as a community by apologizing for something when we have no personal guilt.

[Joe]

Politicians DEVIDE us however they can, by race, sex, age, income... they must stir up this hatetred every so often so they can perpetuate the need to vote for whomever you sympathize with.

[Simon]

PFG, slavery did not end in 1834, it ended with the ratification of the thirteenth amendment in December of 1865. And to everyone else...how much do you think this will cost? Most of you spend more on Old Milwaukee's Best Ice and pork rinds.

FIND A BETTER CAUSE TO FIGHT FOR...

Please, don't apologize for me! My parents immigrated from Europe in the 1970's and I absolutely LOVE cotton! No need to be apologetic here. Plus, without slaves, the weak ones would have survived and basketball today as we know it probably wouldn't exist. Rap music just wouldn't be the same if it reeked of positivity either...

[Ernest Lane]

I am opposed to this sort of thing in general. None of the legislators, or anyone alive, as far as I know had slaves, and therefore have nothing to apologize for here. Slavery was a despicable historical fact, but it's just that.

I wonder if Charlie Crist was around to comment on this...oh wait, that's right - he's too busy campaigning with John McCain.

That empty chair ad he ran against Jim Davis seems funnier by the day.

I saw Forrest Gump. Can I push for more ping-pong tables?

What we need to do is apologize to our children for electing such a moronic, pandering, corrupt group of self-serving, do-nothing pinheads… who will surely continue to screw up our world and its’ future.

Beware Floridians...this is the first step towards a reparations movement. Why whould you, me, or anyone else make a formal apology for something that we had no control of, endorsed, & existed generations ago?

[Over it, still!]

I never owned a slave, my parents never owned a slave, and my grandparents never owned a slave… STOP ACCUSING ME, BLAMING ME, AND HOLDING ME ACCOUNTABLE FOR RACISISM!

GET TO WORK ON SUBSTANCE YOU LYING, SELF-SERVING, PANDERING, USELESS FREAKING MORONS!

Love,

People who were born after 1960, and ARE OVER IT ALL!

Join us; it's really cool to live without unjustified guilt.

[paul]

meanwhile the illegal immigrants flood the gates her e in good "ole" flori-DUH!.
unfreekin believable. you gotta be kiddin me.

If they do approve an apology, it will be written by a group of lawyers hand-picked by these politicians, so that noone will be able to understand it anyhow. All it will do is confuse the issue that much more. People will be saying, "Was that an apology, or did it say that due to global warming, you need to have a license for every cow you have to pay for more carbon offsets".

[Bland]

TechRider,

Yes I went to the oldest elementary school, Anona, Largo Jr. and High School. Plus SPJC and finished my last two years at the University of Florida. For what is worth I went to school at night and received an MBA from University of Tampa.

You can take the two years I was away at Gainesville if you want to.

Now about apologizing, how far does one go back? For all I know my ancestors were once Roman, Greek, or Egyptian slaves, I personally have no idea. This whole thing is silly.

If you go back 200,000 years they say we all have cousins in the shadows of Kilimanjaro on the planes of the Serengeti. So those Indians, our European cousins killed, where our cousins, way back. Get my point.

This is all victim politically correct feel good silliness from my perspective. Yes, I suppose from your perspective I am old white Florida dinosaur or Neanderthal.

[Rodney]

Can't we all just get along?

[Dave]

While a noble gesture, I do not think that slavery in this day and age should take up so much of anyones time, let alone the Legislature. But since it was brought up, who is going to apologize for the Civil War Vets (white AND black)who lost their lives fighting against slavery..or who returned home crippled, maimed or a nutcase? To whom shall an apology be extended and BY whom, on the part of the black community representing the black slave owners? Whites were not all guilty of this. African Tribal leaders, and free blacks aided and encouraged the sale of their people for compensation...Never say that Africa did willingly participate in the sale of blacks into slavery. When Slavery ended, a great deal of former slaves remained on the Plantation till death, on their own accord. Slavery is not justified, but should not be "blamed" on any one particular race.

[Robert]

Absolute nonsense!!! No one alive today had anything to do with slavery and to ask us to apologize is a farce.
Our legislators have much better things to do than spend time on left wing tripe!

[Reality]

Seems like the people have spoken on this thread. Any lawmaker that votes for this bill deserves to lose come re-election.

Work on Property Taxes!!!! Do Something that matters!!!

[Craig]

It is time the blacks got over it. Why don't they ask the African Tribes who sold them into slavery for an apology. Politians will suck up to anybody and anything for a vote rather than do the job they were voted in to do.

Where have all the Southern Gentlemen gone?

[J]

Im sorry my legislators are idiots. SORRY!

[Jane]

Well I'm glad they've solved all our real problems! I'll sleep well tonight.

[Jack]

I'm waiting for an apology from all the snakes in the world for tricking Eve into eating the Apple from the tree of life.

[needtoknow]

IBM is going to apologies to all the multi-hard drive computer systems ever made in the past, present and future. Unbeknown to many of these multi-drive computer owners, some of their drives are relegated as slaves. That's right ... a slave! And guess what, some are called Masters.

[Waste of time]

The only people keeping slavery alive are blacks and Al Sharpton. Umm, has anyone noticed that our two frontrunners in the election are a WOMAN and a BLACK MAN????? (No, I'm not going to say "African American". Black is NOT insulting, racist or deurgatory. If it is, then I want to be referred to as an Anglo-Saxon-American.
MORONS.

[Givemeabreak]

You have got to be kidding! I think that there are sooooooo many more important issues that everyone - black & white - needs right now --- and the legislators need to focus on them - such as lower insurance, taxes, jobs --- the things that put bread on the table.

[Paul]

ok, we're all really sorry. now can you straighten out my ding dang taxes and insurance and please build something that will create valuable JOBS in this state?! and i'm not talking hotdog vendor jobs or retail jobs at a new megaplex ballpark or 'residential and shopping' boondoggle plans on the Trop site either.

[Gilbert R. Ford]

As an African American, I can only sit back and look at this gesture. Why are we looking for an apology? We know slavery took place. Loooong ago, before the vast majority of us were born. History has told us, and our Grandparents has confirmed it. This is so much to the negative, I cannot believe we would even waste time and energy on this long ago topic. Try this:

When our children ingest crack, they become slaves to that drug!
When our children kill one another, they become slaves to the demons of thier own souls.
When our children refuse to become educated, they become slaves to ignorance.
When our children rob one another, they become slaves to indefference.
When our children produce children, they become slaves to an early adult life.

Do we apologize for it, NO, we learn as I suggest we do. Sure, I can go on an on, what will it solve? If we as a society in general, African Americans in specific, focused on the future and not the past, it is so much to learn. To view some of the negative comments on this particular topic, clearly illustrates the frustration and ignorance other races have with this very same topic! I must say that the mere mentioning of this House Bill, leaves alot to be desired. When you continually needle, prod and poke sooner rather than later hostility will resurface. If Rep. Hill or any other politician want to address this topic, I suggest they apologize for whipping up a euphoria that would cause MORE hurt and discontent. It is time to move forward allowing the past to be just that, the PAST!

[VOR]

No one living today is responsible for the actions, mistakes, or atrosities commited by those who lived before us. Our responsibilities are to learn from the past (history) and not commit, and purpetrate the same mistakes and atrocities of our ancestors.
An apology is a personal action made between the offender and the offended. Its impossible and valuless for the living to apologize for the dead.
11:01....Atonement is made to God not people. A community cannot atone for anything. Only the individuals that make up the community can make atonement.
As for your moral character bit, this is the most immoral generation of Americans since the DOI and that includes, all the peoples that make up this country, black, white, brown , red, yellow etc., all ancestoral nationalities, and ethenticities. Political posturing and pandering to any minority or ethenic group will not change the deplorable state of our national morality.
Living in the past and issuing hollow and ineffectual apologies, only adds to our woes, racial division, and prejudices.
Do the right thing today and yesterday will take care of itself. Apologies for the past are not needed but treating all peoples as you would yourself today and tomorrow is.

[Marigold]

If you do a little research you will see that in many cases, African Natives captured other Natives for the Slave Ships.

It is inappropriate to own others' actions and behavior. It is scientifically impossible for anyone who was a slave or slave master to be here and give an apology or accept an apology.

I am a direct descendent of the Abenaki's, who still cannot get recognition from the State of Vermont. Many of them died of the diseases brought over here from Europe and England and then their land was ripped off from raw deals. Is an apology warranted?

My 7th Great Grandfather came to Salem MA in 1629 with the Winthrop Fleet as an Indentured Servant.

Wow. We could be apologizing until the cows came home. It's a great way to dredge up conflict and negativity. Did you ever hear of healing?

So what is the point? The world is obviously a mess, and now that I live in Florida (I moved here from New England in November) I see that it is a bit of a redneck state. This just boosts it up a notch or two.

I think we should go back to the Garden of Eden and check out a few things. Maybe find out the whole deal behind the apple thing.

[CChrist]

OBama is the antichrist

[Rodger]

I bet african-americans are glad their ancestors were brought to america. Image what life in africa must be like. Im glad my ancestors came here from scotland in the early 1900's.

Hey Rep. Hill, maybe we should worry about fixing property taxes and addressing the insurance crisis in Florida instead of worrying about a moot apology.

What a waste. Moveon.org folks.

These idiots in the Senate are so out of touch with the people of Florida.

Get to work on the issues that the people expect solutions like property tax relief & homeowner's insurance reform.

If they can't get it done, they should resign. Marco Rubio & the House of Representative have a better understanding of the people's suffering.

What about the Chinese if we are going down the I'M SORRY ROUTE? They deserve an apology too. They were imported and slaved to build our railroads that made our industrial revolution possible.

A better idea is to get to work on Florida's real problems like property taxes.

Well put Gilbert.

Mr. Ford - Could you please make sure that you send your comments to folks in Tallahassee? Very well written.

You are my kinda black person, Mr. Ford.

I'm only against slavery if I'm the slave .. Oh! Wait! .. never mind.

Mr. Ford,
Thank you.

Give me a break. This bill is an insult. I have not been involved in slavery. I have fought for equal rights for all people. I agree with Martin Luther King who preached not for special treatment/affirmative action. He preached for equal rights. Many non blacks insisted in equal rights for all. The black community would have had sucha harder fight if they did not have help from them. So please stop this political posturing. You only put salt on a old wound that noone alive today had anything to do with. Doing this at a time when we see that the black community has decided to vote for a president based on the color of the candidates skin, is a very bad idea.

[Jimmy the Greek]

we should not apologize ... we should send a thank you letter to the decendants of slave owners!
how many gold medals would we win in track & field without the selective breeding process that slavery gave us?
How bland would the NFL be without the ape like chest-thumping gestures of the alpha negroe?