Apology

There's been a lot of talk lately about the potential of an apology regarding slavery here in Arkansas. Some are for it, some against, and many condemn the idea on the basis that no living person in the state today owned slaves or was a slave. That's true enough. Others have the viewpoint that if apologies are going to be given out, we need to start by apologizing to native americans. One thing I've learned is that when you get down to it, most people are indifferent as to an official apology on the belief that it won't cause any harm either way and won't have any benefit either way -- I disagree.

Here's where I am. The only person or entity that is in a position to apologize -- and that needs to issue an apology for slavery -- is the sovereign herself. Arkansas was heavily involved in slavery and entered the union as a slave state alongside Michigan at a time when states were admitted on the desire among many Congressmen to keep the number of slave states and free states equal. Whether you attribute the Civil War to an issue of states' rights or slavery (or both), the Arkansas General Assembly enacted an Ordinance of Secession on May 6, 1861 so that it could, among other things, continue the practice of slavery. Truthfully, I don't know whether my direct lineal ancestors owned slaves or not, but I do know this -- this state, in its official capacity, enacted laws that allowed and encouraged the human ownership of other humans. We're about to have the 50th Anniversary of the integration of Central High, showing that while slavery ended well over a century ago, racism did not. Is an apology from the state necessary? For historical purposes, I think it is.

If Arkansas is to apologize for its role in slavery, I believe it needs to come not from the governor, but from the General Assembly -- the same body that enacted the Ordinance of Secession 146 years ago. I think we'll see this happen soon, and I think the 50th Anniversary of the integration of Central High is an appropriate time and place for it to happen.