Alabama is the fourth state in the South to offer an apology for slavery.
In this letter to the Governor of Alabama a native son of Alabama accepts the apology on behalf of Alabama's Americans of African descent.

Uriah J. Fields P. O. Box 4770 Charlottesville, VA 22905

June 2, 2007

Governor Bob Riley
State Capitol
600 Dexter Avenue
Montgomery, AL 36130

Dear Honorable Governor Riley:

Re: Alabama apology for slavery

The resolution passed by the Alabama Legislature and signed by you, Governor of Alabama, on May 31, 2007, that expresses "profound regret" for the state's role in slavery and apologizes for slavery's wrongs and lingering effects for Americans of African descent is highly significant at this juncture in history. I believe that in the future this will contribute to the advancement of justice and equality for Americans of African descent. The resolution rightly declares that the lingering effects, vistiges of slavery, of "centuries of brutal dehumanization and injustices" are ever before Americans of African descent citizens.

Earlier this year a reslouliton offering an apology for slavery was passed by Virginia lawmakers and signed by Governor Tim Kaine. As a current resident of Virginia I accepted, on behalf of Americans of African descent, that apology with gratitude. Virginia was the first state to have slaves (1619) and the first state to offer an apology for slavery.

Following Virginia's apology for slavery I contacted some Alabama lawmakers and requested that they follow Virginia's example and issue an apology for slavery in my native state of Alabama. I sent letters to Lt. Gov. Jim Folsom, Jr., President and Presiding Officer of the Senate in Alabama, Senator Hinton Mitchem, President Pro Tempore in the Senate, House Delegate Seth Hammett, Speaker of the House, House Delegate Demetrius C. Newton, Speaker Pro Tempore of the House and Seantor Vivian Davis Figures of Mobile, near the place of my birth. Later I was informed that Senator Hank Sanders was guiding the resolution through the Senate. I would like to thank him for his leadership.

As indicated earlier, although Virginia was the frst state to have slaves and the first state to offer an apology for slavery, Alabama, admitted to the Union in 1819, was the state with the fourth largest number of slaves at the beginning of the Civil War.

I am delighted to know that my native state of Alabama has offered an apology for slavery. Not only was I born and reared in Alabama, I was the pastor of a church in Montgomery for nearly a decade, including the period of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The Bell Street Baptist Church which I pastored was bombed by segregationists who opposed bus desegreagation. It was rebuilt under my pastoral leadership. I have a vested interest in Alabama. My blood and sweat are mingled with Alabama soil. I feel that there are few people alive who have more of a right to accept Alabama's apology for slavery than I do. With this conviction and in the spirit of reconciliation, I proudly accept, on behalf of all Alabama's Americans of African descent, Alabama's apology for slavery. I believe that this apology for slavery will help to advance the cause of justice and equality for Americans of African descent in Alabama and throughout America.

It has been said that "We don't have to be right, because we will do wrong, but we do have to get right." Let me add, "We may not have been responsible for wrongs committed by those whose legacy remains with us but we dare not do less than acknowledge that they did wrong and whenever it is the right thing to do, make amends for what they did." No this is not praying for the dead. It is redeeming the times with hope that evil done in the past will not be repeated and that the futue will be better than the past or present.

Again Governor Riley, thank you for your insight, courage and commitment to the proposition and actualization of justice and equality for all Americans.

Respectfully,

Uriah J. Fields
a Native son of Alabama

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(Note for the Reader: My paternal grandfather was born and lived all the eighty-eight years of his life in Alabama. In my book, "Grandfather Benjamin," I write about things he told me about slavery and his ancestors, beginning with his foreparents who were kidnapped in Africa and enslaved in America. This book can be purchased on line from www.amazon.com.)

Copyrght 2007 by Uriah J. Fields


July 25, 2007
From:

Office of the Governor
Bob Riley
Governor

STATE OF ALABAMA

State Capitol
Montgomery, Alabama 36130 

Mr. Uriah J. Fields
P. O. Box 4770
Charlottesville, VA 22905-4770

Dear Mr. Fields:

Thank you for contacting me regarding your support for House Joint Resolution 321. I appreciate you taking the time to share your opinions with me.

Knowing the opinions of both current and former citizens on such important issues is vital to the success of this state. I encourage you to remain active in policy decisions important to you.

Again, thank you for taking the time to share your views with me. If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact my office.

Sincerely,

(signed)
Bob Riley
Governor