NBC25 NEWS - Maryland lawmakers are considering a bill that would officially apologize for something that happened more than 150 years ago: slavery. Washington County residents are buzzing about the new bill being considered in the Maryland Senate this week that would offer a "profound regret" for slavery from members of the General Assembly. The resolution also apologizes for the "discrimination that was slavery's legacy."

"I don't think anyone owes us blacks an apology. What's done is done. Just give us a fair chance in this world," says Lorenzo Green of Hagerstown.

"I don't think Maryland had that much involvement in that any way. They were pretty much a neutral state during the war," says Washington County resident Larry Hill.

If passed, Maryland would become only the second state to issue such an apology. It passed the Senate in 2006, but never made it to the House for a vote. Though it' fate this session remains uncertain, many residents agree the present should prevail over the past.

"Let's do for the slavery going on in other countries. We've got slaves over here - illegals," says Barb Kulusic, who works in Maryland.

"Just like we have Black History Month, we need to let people know what black people been through," says 12-year-old Aleeyah Adams-Bey.

Efforts to pass similar measures in other states have received mixed reviews. Georgia defeated such a bill, but just last month, Virginia passed a bill almost identical to the one being considered in Maryland.


I thought this was interesting, some of you may not. I'm just wondering when people are going to leave things in the pass. 150 years ago is a long time. We can't help what people did that long ago. We can only learn from it and move forward.

Personally I think this is a bunch of crap. How many people today have slaves?

Someone brought up in the paper about how the countries in Africa should be apologising. The slaves were sold by African Chiefs to the European slave traders. Granted, that Annapolis was a major hub for importing slaves, but what the hell. Yeah, sorry it happened, but an apology? To whom? Who today is suffering for something that occurred over 150 years ago?

I believe this can be a slippery slope. This bill has been introduced for the past 3-4 years. The only difference in this bill is the mentioning of reparations to African Americans. I believe that this is the first step for Maryland tax payers to give money to African Americans. Once the wrongdoing is admitted and apologized for then you need to have a punishment and that punishment will be for the taxpayers to start paying for their part of the slave trade. Oh that’s right we were not even on the earth at the time, so what neither were any of these law makers that are attempting to make the law. Check out this site: (http://dir.salon.com/story/news/col/horo/2000/05/30/reparations/index.html)

Some locals are saying it is the same thing as what happened with Willie Mays. No not even close, Willie Mays was treated like shit back in the day and the town and town folks wanted to make it up to HIM. Not to his Great, Great, Great, Grandchildren that did not even know him. I also am confused how exactly Maryland (which is an object not a person) can actually apologize for something.

More feel-good worthless namby-pamby garbage! Tell me, why would any black person care that over 100 years later, people who had no hand in the problem are saying their sorry...next we will apologize to the persons descended from servants for having to had serve people I had nothing to do with? When does this trash end? Just hand out smile stickers to everyone & then let it go!!!

If the apology helps anyone feel better black or white then great. I can't see where anyone would feel better about an apology 150 years after the fact.

Reperations is a whole different can of worms. I don't believe anyone is owed anything in 2007. Also how could you prove who is a direct descendant from slavery. Do the african americans who moved here after slavery deserve reperations? If the answer is no then who is going to be responsible for figuring out who gets it and who doesn't? it will just be a gigantic cluster F*** that will cost billions.

apologize if we must then lets all move forward

Please read that link posted by hagopinion, some excellent points and discussion on there. It's rather lengthy, but a good read.

I do! But he doesn't mind....

Yoss-read the link..very informative...as to who has slaves today--from what I have read you can buy a slave these days--usually children in India, parts of Aftrica..for under $80.00...scary, huh?

While they're drafting letters of apology... maybe they can draft a bill apologizing to all Native Americans for stealing and commercializing their land, and maybe even draft a bill apologizing to all women apologizing for not allowing them equal rights.

Hmm, I'm sure we can think of some more.

I got one! Let's apologize to all the elderly for allowing them to live so long!!

As I stated earlier I do not think this has anything to do with an apology, he has to do with reperations. If you read some of the articles even from Herald Mail it will explain this is the 1st apology draft that does not mention reperations. After we give the apology we need to give up the money. So anyone that thinks this is a good idea, get your checkbooks ready. Now that the Dems are in office this will pass.

Apologizing, for something that happen 150 years ago. It's going to help a darn thing. I think it's pointless. Native American people were hurt the most, I think. After all this was their land, before the white man came here. You sure can't make up for something that happen so long ago.

What's this about money, what they think there going to pay people and everything is going to be okay?
150 years ago was 1857, Do you know who or where your family was from? My ancestors was living in Germany.

I found something interesting, If you all care to read it. http://americanrevwar.homestead.com/files/...ar/slavery.html
Salvery dates back more then 150 years ago.

Oh man! I always feel like the odd ball around here.

I think saying your sorry is always a good thing if it's the truth.

No, it doesn't change the past, but it can't hurt.

I have no clue how a government could ever compensate for such a horrible part of our history. It's too late, of course.
But words can soothe and break barriers.

Your not a, odd ball by far. Your just voicing your option, and that's what you should do. There's nothing wrong with that. But I totally think it's to late for Sorry. But of course, I'm not African America either, so I can't even image how they feel.

If the state really wants to apologize for something they can start by apologizing to me for screwing me every April 15th.

This sounds like one of Leroy's ideas.

Hell we are all slaves regardless of how we wanna look at it.