A practice that ended in the 19th century is the focus of legislation being put forth in the 21st century.
Last week, State Sen. Barry Loudermilk, R-Cassville, held a press conference to announce his filing of Senate Resolution 28, a resolution that aims to “[express] remorse for the state's past practice of condoning involuntary servitude,” or slavery. A copy of the resolution is attached to this article in PDF form.
According to Loudermilk, passage of the resolution would mark the first official acknowledgement of the injustices of slavery and serve as “an official expression of regret and remorse for the condoning of the institution of slavery in Georgia.
“The injustices brought on by the institution of slavery in our state's past stands in stark opposition to the principles on which this nation was founded. According to our founding documents, the sole responsibility of government is to preserve the God-given rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” Loudermilk said in a news release. “The filing of [the] Freedom Resolution represents an important first step for our state, in recognizing the reprehensible act of slavery, and to bring reconciliation among the people of this great state.
“I am optimistic that my colleagues in both chambers will recognize the significance of this resolution, and we will work together in a strong bipartisan effort to pass it in this legislative session,” Loudermilk added. “Many people have worked together in drafting this resolution, including legislators, Georgia citizens and members of the clergy.”
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, this isn’t the first time a Georgia lawmaker has attempted to get a resolution like this passed. Then-Senate President Pro Tem Eric Johnson, R-Savannah, made such a push in 2007 and 2009, while black House Democrats have attempted too; none of the proposals were passed by the General Assembly.
Do you agree with State Sen. Barry Loudermilk’s resolution expressing remorse for the state’s role in slavery? Should lawmakers approve a resolution that condemns the now-illegal practice? Why or why not?
Share what’s on your mind with us, and then return here to see what your neighbors in Paulding, Douglas and Cobb have said.
One thing I don't agree with is people using slavery as a crutch or excuse to not perform, not work, etc. Amazingly, some people in the poorest parts of Atlanta still site slavery and other things as the reason they are "kept down" as opposed to the real reasons, such as lack of access to post-secondary education, etc. I'm part jewish. I could sit here and cry victimization about enslavement by Egyptians and antisemitism at the hands of the U.S., about prominent U.S. citizens' donations to Hitler, etc. Don't make this discussion into a race/ethnicity thing and a victimization contest. Human history is sordid, and there are plenty of nasty things that happened to every group. However, I don't see American Indians going around crying all the time. I don't see jews using Hitler and antisemitism and Egyptian slavery, etc as an excuse to not succeed. Sadly, there are a small minority of descendents of american slaves that use it and civil rights things from over forty years back before I was even alive as an excuse while other descendents are flourishing. I'm not saying it's easy, but it's doable. The ones who haven't achieved need to step up and stop crying, do everything to get an education, and succeed. Some will need help, but they have to take a first step. Enough already.
A waste of Legislature. A waste of time. Senator Loudermilk needs to find something to do with his time if this is all he can come up with. No one living in Georgia owns slaves or has owned slaves. The slave owners are all dead and gone. The sins of your relatives do not pass one to you.
What's the Statute of Limitations on State Sanctioned oppression again? I just want to know when Georgia missed the boat - no pun intended.. As for the Germans, the self-flagellation will end in 2015. "Germany's response to its war crimes has been largely lauded by the former Allies. The Government of the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany until 1990) offered official apologies for Germany's role in the Holocaust. Additionally, German leaders have continuously expressed repentance, most notably when former Chancellor Willy Brandt fell on his knees in front of a Holocaust memorial in the Warsaw Ghetto, also known as the Warschauer Kniefall in 1970. Germany has also paid extensive reparations, including nearly $70 billion to the state of Israel. It has given $15 billion to Holocaust survivors and will continue to compensate them until 2015. Additionally, the government of Germany coordinated an effort to reach a settlement with German companies that had used slave labor during the war; the companies will pay $1.7 billion to victims. Germany also established a National Holocaust Memorial Museum in Berlin for looted property."
http://buckhead.patch.com/articles/im-opposed-to-the-freedom-resolution-have-you-read-sr-28-well-no