Senate's Apology for Slavery

Senate's Apology for Slavery



(Link to Story: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/06/26/senates-apology-slavery-support-reparations-riles-black-lawmakers/)



OK, we are all sorry for things that happened in the past. The end of slavery is celebrated with the "Juneteenth Holiday". With slavery coming to an end nearly one hundred and fifty years ago in the United States is anyone who was a slave actually alive today? If you ask me they would be the ones that deserve any reparations. While those alive today may have suffered due to discrimination and segregation many steps have been made to correct those wrongs. Through out our lives each and every one of us has been discriminated against. Whether it has been for disability, race, religion, political beliefs, the reasons for discrimination are endless.

The subject of reparations today is just rediculious. Is any one still alive that was actually a slave in this country? Is anyone who held slaves as property still alive? The Constitution of the United States protects against the families or in this case the descendants from paying for the activities of other family members or ancestors. Those who live in the past lead a sad, sad life and need to move on the current life. In my opinion the subject of reparations is a mute issue. No one is around that was wronged over slavery. Any descendant of slavery is a free viable member of society and is free to move about as they wish.

It would seem to me that now that we have an Afro-American President in the White House this issue needs to be put to rest for good. People need to move on, there are more important issues today.

What is more important?

I understand that the death of someone famous with a following is a news worthy event. The families and friends of those people suffer with loss and the pain of missing someone and not ever seeing them again in this lifetime. I am not heartless and I sympathize with the people dealing with loss.

What I do not understand is how one person can completely dominate news coverage. No one person is that important. There are issues that are more pressing. A vote is taking place in the U.S. House of Representatives today on an energy bill that will effect every one. Why can't I hear anything about that? This issue is important to everyone!

The life of a person is a important thing, but devoting 24 hour news coverage to one person is ridiculous. While the world is transfixed on this one person Congress is deciding how much we are going to pay for electricity. This is a more pressing issue on my life than whether a dead celebrity died of a drug overdose.