A solemn slavery apology - St. Petersburg Times

Four decades after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Florida Legislature on Wednesday took a historic step by voicing "profound regret" for the state having engaged in human slavery. The tone and substance of the resolution also is something to build on.

There was no greater measure of the solemnity of the moment than the state's lawmakers in an election year embracing the resolution without debate. The stage, this day, belonged to the record — the codes and laws that called for nailing slaves' ears to posts as punishment — that historian John Phelps recounted with all the power of plain English.

Spain introduced slaves into Florida in the 1500s, making them among the state's earliest pioneers. Britain followed suit in the 18th century, using Florida's ports as a transshipping point for the global slave trade. But the boom came in the 1800s, when plantation owners headed south into Florida for cheap agricultural land. In the resolution, lawmakers acknowledged that Florida's legal framework "perpetuated African slavery in one of its most brutal and dehumanizing forms." They also noted that the state repressed and harassed slaves and freemen alike, inflicting "grave injustices" in a "shameful chapter" in Florida history.

With the vote, Florida joined five other states that have apologized for slavery. The move is important for the historical record. The Legislature's baring of the shameful record of slavery should make Floridians more sensitive to calls in the black community for help in overcoming traditional barriers to education, jobs and other opportunities. Indeed, the second part of the Wednesday's resolution called for lawmakers to "promote" healing and reconciliation. Floridians need to build on this long overdue apology.

Comments on this article

by sicnarfe	Apr 1, 2008 11:21 AM
For heaven's sake stop calling us African-American. We are black and proud to be described as such. Just drop that African-American crap, as most of us, Blacks, would prefer to be referred to as black.

by Tom	Apr 1, 2008 11:19 AM
Well then... I guess everything will be ok now that we've apologize for something we had no control over. ATTENTION EVERYONE! You can now move to South St. Pete... no, really, it's ok now, we've apologized! God help us!

by Joe	Apr 1, 2008 11:18 AM
While we're at it, let's apologize for helping the snake tempt Eve, for helping Brutus kill Caesar and for causing the black plague. You were helping, weren't you?

by Morris	Mar 31, 2008 3:24 PM
To Kimberly:As a black man I thank you for being open minded that this country needs much healing. It is so easy to dismiss others pains of which this country has done for years. No one is asking for gifts, only a chance to grow past the past.

by CB	Mar 31, 2008 3:23 PM
How much longer should we ponder upon what was done in the past? If we keep rehashing it, we'll ignore any possibilites of a better future, for "ALL" mankind, not just previous mankind. Let's stop reliving past mishappenings, it

by john	Mar 31, 2008 3:23 PM
I am white and I am not sorry.. I had nothing to do with it. Now that there is an apology maybe you can stop killing each other!!

by Bob	Mar 31, 2008 3:22 PM
Not to minimize the horrors of slavery of early American history, but what are we doing to end slavery today? Read "A Crime So Monstrous" by Benjamin Skinner and you'll learn there are more slaves in the world today than at any time in

by MarkInTO	Mar 31, 2008 3:21 PM
Keeping in mind that blacks AND native Americans owned slaves in America as well, maybe we can all stop treating this as a black vs white issue and embrace this apology as a step towards healing for all people regardless of race.

by Kay	Mar 31, 2008 3:21 PM
Wesley is correct in that "all of mankind has suffered". Also, if I were black, I would never put African before American. This should make you proud of your state and country.

by MARK	Mar 31, 2008 3:21 PM
Why should my ancestors be grateful about being forced to leave their country? True enough the conditions are poor in Africa, however it’s the way we got here that still bothers me and other people in our society. Thank you Florida

by CGB	Mar 31, 2008 3:20 PM
It is so obvious that the negative comments come from white people. I am a white woman, but I wish all slave holding states would appologize. What the white commentators fail to see is that by their comments it is clear they haven't moved ahea

by Scoop	Mar 31, 2008 3:20 PM
It's also quite clear that the negative folks below will never vote for Obama. They need to check their hearts.

by MB	Mar 31, 2008 3:20 PM
This is odd to me. Do you randomly apologize for something you did not do? How can we apologize to slaves? I've never even seen one in reality. Slaves aren't here to apologize to. Not in this country anyway. Who feels better re: this apolog

by Eric	Mar 31, 2008 2:47 PM
So, apology accepted?

by nonna	Mar 31, 2008 2:30 PM
As a 1st generation Italian American, my ancestors were not responsible for slavery but if it will alleviate hard feelings I apologize for slavery. Also as a "garlic nose" American I also will apologize for my ancient ancestors crucifixtio

by Alexa	Mar 31, 2008 2:30 PM
I thank Florida for doing that. I believe it is a sign of self-respect and maturity to be able to reflect upon the actions of oneself (or in this case one's ancestors).

by wesley	Mar 31, 2008 9:00 AM
These people have got to be out of their mind doing this. The supposed ancestors of the slaves should be greatful there here. They could be in Africa living in poor conditions. All of mankind has suffered to get ahead.

by GR	Mar 30, 2008 12:46 PM
Often we look at the past with so much energy and focus, that we ignore the possibilities of the future. If we continue to fight about those issues that divide our country, we will no longer have a country to fight for.

by Kimberly	Mar 30, 2008 9:55 AM
"No matter what anyone else does, do what's right." What's right is to apologize for hurting other people. As far as I know, my ancestors didn't own slaves. I support the apology.

by Carol Anne	Mar 30, 2008 9:49 AM
Well, see everyone, Now Isn't Life so much better for all of Humanity now that Florida apologized. I am sure the refugees in Darfor are ecstatic about this news.

by Brian	Mar 30, 2008 9:45 AM
Snore..whats next going to tramp around Europe making them apologize for 3,000+ years of slavery?

by Tony	Mar 30, 2008 9:45 AM
How foolish it is for some stupid politician to think it is intelligent to apoligize for something he had nothing to do with to someone that it never happened to. What a waste of time.

by cherokee	Mar 30, 2008 9:44 AM
I feel sorry for the slaves that was, and all the injustice and for the way they were treated. But one thing no one talks about is the way the Native Americans were treated, how they were killed for their land. Read your history about the Indians.

by Pierre	Mar 30, 2008 9:43 AM
And when the Moslem or African countries will apologize for slavery? We bet that it will never happen.

by Tony Kings	Mar 30, 2008 9:42 AM
This is good. Let us make the Clintons know that their racial attacks branding Obama as a black candidate is pre-historic, not in synch with todays America. Electing Obama (biracial) is the best opportunity for this healing. Pennsylvan

by J.	Mar 30, 2008 9:37 AM
We can build on the long overdue apology by promoting personal responsibility in the black community, promoting education as something other than "acting white" and encouraging development of a stronger family unit. Then maybe we'll se

by Diane	Mar 30, 2008 9:36 AM
When do Spain and Britian apologize? And what does this do to offset the impact of the real problems that face today's blacks: high rates of welfare dependency, crime, illegitimacy and school drop-outs? Whites don't force them to make

by John	Mar 30, 2008 9:35 AM
What a sicking trip down guilt lane. No one alive has anything to do with this and it's stupid in the extreme. I am really tired of the politicly correct crowd dragging every non person of color into their guilt pool of sorrow.

by wink	Mar 30, 2008 9:34 AM
i urge everyone to use your search engine....type in slavery in africa and click go....you will discover most interesting how slavery existed in africa by africans...

by kennefe	Mar 30, 2008 9:34 AM
This article is deeply personal to me. It resonates with me not merely because I am African American and a direct descendant of slaves here in N A, but also bc I am human. It's long since pass when our nation must come to terms w/ it's tr

by Pam	Mar 30, 2008 9:30 AM
Please remember Native Americans who were enslaved & incarcerated here. Geronimo was held in Pensicola & his wife in St. Augustine. Native Americans were murdered, tortured, brutalized & raped & now 90% of them live in 3rd worl

by ted	Mar 30, 2008 9:29 AM
ya gotta luv the "i aint owned no slaves" gang, doncha? as tho this nation exists without a history! the vitriol of their denunciations enables us to see just how deeply the hatred and ugliness which drives racism really extends in our wo

by Evan	Mar 30, 2008 9:27 AM
Now what? Are the attitudes of the citizens going to change due to this proclamation. The Million Man march was to be a new begining in the Black community and it failed to change attitudes.

by Claude	Mar 30, 2008 9:27 AM
Thanks Florida, the Bible tells us a house divided can not stand and the same holds true for the USA. "Sticks in a bundle are difficult to break;" lets bundle the US and move on.

by John Warren Gotsch	Mar 30, 2008 9:25 AM
As a former resident of Pass-a-Grille, I sincerely applaud your thoughtful and appropriate apology. GOD BLESS!