Stated Larry Seabrook, Chair of the Committee on Civil Rights, “The horrors associated with the imposition of slavery within the United States for the purpose of commercial industry has been well chronicled. Slavery led to the forced breakup of families, indentured servitude, and death on innumerable occasions.”

“New York is the greatest city in the world, but let's face it – its early foundation was built on the backs of slaves,” asserted Council Member John Liu. “Today we are a more civilized and progressive society that embraces diversity. As such, it is right to acknowledge any wrongful past. An apology will create deeper understanding and bring people together.”

Robert Jackson, Co-chair of the Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus, added his voice, stating that he hopes this resolution will spur dialogue among the new generation of New Yorkers who will lead the city in the future. And he said to his colleagues, “I ask each of you to look to your conscience and decide whether or not you should stand with us and apologize for the deep-rooted slavery that existed here and then say, ‘Now let's move forward. How can we make it better for African Americans who have been negatively impacted by slavery in New York City?’”

Council Member Al Vann (right) mentioned the New-York Historical Society’s excellent exhibition Slavery in New York that shined a light on the incredible width and breadth of the City’s involvement in slavery. He also pointed to South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which was a way to begin the healing process and move forward after apartheid. “We never had a healing process in this country,” Vann commented, “so perhaps this will be the beginning of people thinking about how do we deal with the fact that we enslaved people and then never apologized and never had reparations. It's a very important resolution, and I urge all our colleagues to be supportive of it.”

Council Member Sara Gonzalez also noted that it is profoundly sad that New York City, which today stands as a bastion of cultural and ethnic diversity, had its beginning in the inhumane treatment of people who were kidnapped and forced to labor unwillingly for the profit and benefit of others. “Today, I join my colleagues in offering our sincere personal and collective apology,” she said in an interview. “As history cannot be undone, we must at least renew our commitment to ensuring that our newest immigrants, people with disabilities, and other disenfranchised groups do not suffer the indignities associated with the denial of their civil and human rights.”

Several states, including Virginia, North Carolina, and Maryland, have already approved apologies for slavery, while others, such as Florida and Alabama, are considering it. A similar measure has been introduced in the New York State Legislature.

Read more of Donna's articles at http://www.donnalamb.com/