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Reader comment on:
N.Y.'s Apology for Slavery Is Readied for 'Juneteenth'
in response to reader comment: But are we really, really sorry?

Submitted by Dan, Jun 13, 2007 15:21

We all, now, today, have benefited from the fact that the Industrial Revolution, New York City and the US itself, was built on the backs of slaves. It was free and later dirt cheap labor that made it happen. And while today's African Americans also benefit from that, only African Americans live with the vestigal racisim that is slavery's legacy. But I agree....an apology from those who never owned slaves to those who were never slaves is an empty gesture. The only thing that can be said for this is that it may help better educate people about the critical role African slaves played in making this country such an economic power. Irish, Italian and Chinese immigrants weren't slaves, but they were certainly exploited labor, too. Kinda ike, er, "guest workers" who get treated like crap but who aren't given a stake in the country.

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Other reader comments on this article

Comment	By	Date
Keith Wright you got to be kidding. Financial reparations for Slavery how about a bill for reparations for the Families of... [MORE]	Rib	Jul 9, 2007 08:04
Here is the plan kiddies, after Bush opens the border to Mexican workers via the North Americain Union Act, Mexicans... [MORE]	Jerry Mander	Jun 16, 2007 16:06
I think the apology is a good way to instruct New Yorkers that we were a slave state for a... [MORE]	Linda Shookster	Jun 13, 2007 19:50
Why stop there? I think that as a descendant of Adam, I would like to apologize to the human race... [MORE]	tom	Jun 13, 2007 10:48
We all, now, today, have benefited from the fact that the Industrial Revolution, New York City and the US itself,...	Dan	Jun 13, 2007 15:21
You couldn't be more correct. [MORE]	BG	Jul 9, 2007 17:07
How can you apologies for something you were not involved in or even alive when it happened???? Will they apologies... [MORE]	Bob Fitzsimmons	Jun 13, 2007 07:18
People who never owned slaves are making apologies to people who never were slaves? Politicians make me sick. [MORE]	Thomas Ziegler	Jun 13, 2007 06:18
Do not apologize for things you did not do. [MORE]	bug	Jun 13, 2007 00:43
Apologize? That's not what anyone needs. How about making sure the cops don't "friendly fire" 49 shots or something... how... [MORE]	Jenny	Jun 18, 2007 14:28

Reader comment on:N.Y.'s Apology for Slavery Is Readied for 'Juneteenth'in response to reader comment: But are we really, really sorry?

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Comment on N.Y.'s Apology for Slavery Is Readied for 'Juneteenth'

Reader comment on:
N.Y.'s Apology for Slavery Is Readied for 'Juneteenth'
in response to reader comment: But are we really, really sorry?