Apology accepted, where’s my damn 40 Acres and a Mule

The United States Senate approved a fiercely worded resolution couple of days ago that attempts to formally apologize for the "fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality, and inhumanity of slavery" of the African-American people. It's strange that their unanimous resolution came only after America elected it's first African American president, Barack Obama. Members of The House of Representatives are also expected to unanimously pass their resolution as early as next week.

The bill which does not require President Obama's signature reads as follows: ”that Congress acknowledges the fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality, and inhumanity of slavery and Jim Crow laws that enshrined racial segregation at the state and local level in the nation well into the 1960s." It further reads "Congress apologizes to African-Americans on behalf of the people of the United States, for the wrongs committed against them and their ancestors who suffered under slavery and Jim Crow laws."

It also recommits lawmakers "to the principle that all people are created equal and endowed with inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and calls on all people of the United States to work toward eliminating racial prejudices, injustices, and discrimination from our society."

"We pledge to move beyond this shameful period and we officially acknowledge and apologize for the institution of slavery in this country what many refer to as 'the original sin of America,'" Senator Brownback said.

"Let us make no mistake: This resolution will not fix lingering injustices. While we are proud of this resolution and believe it is long overdue, the real work lies ahead," said Senator Harkin.

In a step that has angered some African-American lawmakers, the measure takes pains not to fuel the push for the U.S. government to pay reparations to the descendants of African slaves.

OK, I am not going to make a big deal about this whole apology issue. After all, members of the Congress and Senate are not responsible for the inhumane inexcusable barbaric and racist sins of their evil forefathers.

What pissed me off about this apology is this; the Congress and Senate acknowledged that a crime was committed – an admission of quilt, however, the resolution does not mention ANYTHING regarding settlement of any claim against the United States or the 40 acres and a mule issue.

On January 16, 1865, Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman issued the the product of Special Field Orders, No. 15. which applied to black families who lived near the coasts of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. Some historian are now saying Sherman's orders specifically allocated the islands from Charleston, south, the abandoned rice fields along the rivers for thirty miles back from the sea, and the country bordering the St. Johns river, Florida.

After the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, President Andrew Johnson, his successor, revoked Sherman's Orders.

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