An African American extends thanks to Virginia Legislators on behalf of African Americans and other Americans who favor the action taken by the General Assembly offering an apology for the role Virginia had in slavery.

On the last day (February 24, 2007) of the General Assembly session, Virginia lawmakers passed a resolution sponsored in the House by Del. A. Donald McEachin, D-Herico, and Senator Harry Marsh III, D-Richmond, that expressed "profound regret" for the Virginia's role in slavery.
According to the resolution, "the most abject apology for past wrongs cannot right them, yet the spirit of true repentance on behalf of a government, and, through it, a people, can promote reconciliation and healing, and avert the repetition of past wrongs and the disregard of manifested injustices."
The resolution passed in the House 96-0 and cleared the Senate on a unanimous voice vote.
Among those voting for the measure was Del. Frank D. Hargrove, R-Hanover, who infuriated black people in January by saying that black citizens should "get over' slavery.
In a letter that appeared in The Daily Progress on January 23 "Slavery Apology would be Just"), I denounced Hargrove for making such indefensible statement.
Now, I take this opportunity to thank Del. Hargrove for having had a change of heart and voting for the resolution that offered an apology for slavery.
It was in Jamestown where the first Africans were enslaved in 1619.
Richmond became the point of arrival for Africans and a slave-trade hub.
On the eve of the Civil War more than 4 millon of the 4.5 million people of African descent in America were slaves.
Of the five states with more than 400 thousand slaves, Virginia had the highest number, 490,865 (30.7 percent of her population), followed by Georgia, 462.198 (43.7 percent); Mississippi, 436,632 (55.2 percent); Alabama, 435.080 (45.1 percent), and South Carolina, 402,198 (57.2) percent. (The information comes from a special edition of Time magazine, July 4, 2005.)
Just as Virginia was the first state to have slaves, she became the first state to acknowledge with "profound regret" the involuntary servitude of Africans and the exploitation of Native Americans in this resolution.
There should, however, have been a separate resolution addressing the role Virginia had in the barbaric treatment of Native Americans that focused specifically on the massacring of Native Americans and confiscation of their land.
On behalf of Americans of African descent in Vrginia and other Virginians who favor the action taken by the General Assembly, I express thanks to these lawmakers for passing this bill offering an apology for the role Virginia had in initiating and promoting slavery.
This action has inspired me, a native of Alabama, to contact members of the Aabama Legislature and urge them to follow the example of Virginia and issue an apology for the role that state had in slavery, the state that had the fourth-highest number of slaves.
My letters have been sent to Seth Hammett, Speaker and
Demetrius C. Newton, Speaker Pro Tempore of the House of Represenatives, and Lt. Gov. Jim Folsom Jr., President and Hinton Mitchem, President pro Tempore of the Senate in Alabama.
Again, to Virginia lawmakers, on behalf of Americans of African descent, we with thanks accept your apology for slavery.
--------------------------------------------------
Send corresondence to:
Uriah J. Fields
P. O. Box 4770
Charlottsville, VA 22904

(Note: Informing your friends about this article, i.e., directing them to read it is one way you can help to bring reconciliation and healing to America that must yet take place 142 years after slavery.)

Copyright 2007 by Uriah J. Fields