Fla. Legislature Apologizes For Slavery

[The Straight Story]

Fla. Legislature Apologizes For Slavery
Resolution Offers 'Profound Regret For Shameful Chapter In History'

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The Florida Legislature formally apologized Wednesday for its long support of slavery in a resolution calling for reconciliation.

Senators approved the resolution at their morning session after hearing some of the history detailing the treatment endured by slaves in the 19th century and the reluctance of politicians in the last century to recognize the intolerance and mistreatment of blacks. The House passed the resolution later a few hours later.

"It is important that the Legislature express profound regret for the shameful chapter in this state's history," the resolution reads.

Legislators in Alabama, Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia have recently issued formal apologies for slavery, and New Jersey became the first northern state to apologize in January.

Sen. Arthenia Joyner, who was jailed for civil disobedience in 1963 after protesting racial inequalities, cried as details of the cruel treatment experienced by blacks were read.

http://www.local6.com/news/15711010/detail.html

[angrycarpenter]

1. Good

now apologize for costing me my primary vote.

[hooraydems06]

2. They really shouldn't bother...

... if they are going to continue to disenfranchise black voters in the state... which is probably going to continue to happen in certain parts of the state despite some of the commendable stuff Gov. Crist has done in that area since he took office.

And I wonder what year they are going to apologize for banning gay adoptions and potentially banning gay marriage this November? 2150?

[flashl]

3. There seem to be a trend. After these state apologies they are usually followed with

an announcement of a contract award from an International company.

Florida is not in a position to apologize for past transgressions while it remains the for-profit prison capital and maintains one of the nation's highest incarceration rates of young Black males.