Maryland Mulls Apology For Slavery

A Maryland lawmaker from PG County has sponsored a bill that apologizes for Maryland's role in the slave trade. The measure follows a similar bill recently passed in Virginia. Originally, the bill contained a provision calling for reparations, but it was removed in committee:

Sen. Nathaniel Exum (D), sponsored the resolution, which expresses "regret for the role that Maryland played in instituting and maintaining slavery and for the discrimination that was slavery's legacy."

Slavery was part of the culture in Maryland until 1864.

[...]

Exum added that he thinks the recent unanimous House vote in the Virginia General Assembly should spur action in Maryland. Last week, the Virginia House approved a resolution expressing "profound regret" for Virginia's involvement in slavery.

Last year's measure in Maryland called for reparations, Exum said, but the provision was removed in committee. The resolution passed the Senate without the mention of reparations, and Exum said he mistakenly thought it would sail through the House.

Exum said he is beginning with the resolution that he ended with last session -- one that offers regrets without reparations.

Many people say regret without reparations is meaningless, but I disagree. It is important that the United States explicitly acknowledge their role in the slave trade, and that their role perpetuated and abetted one of the most horrendous crimes against humanity in history. It is important that America explicitly acknowledge that it failed to outlaw slavery because they saw its economic benefits more important than the basic human dignity and rights of people of African descent.

As for reparations, I would be happy with a public school system that prepares black children for college and life.

Apparently, that's just too much to ask.