The slavery apology resolution recently passed by the Democratic-controlled U.S. Senate was meaningless and “will do absolutely zilch to promote racial healing and reconciliation,” says Carol Swain, a professor of political science and law at Vanderbilt University.
She noted that it is the Republican Party that has alienated minorities in recent decades by a series of high profile racist incidents. “By not taking the leadership role in crafting the apology when it was in power, the GOP missed an important opportunity to help heal America. In addition, a resolution passed by voice vote in the Senate does not have the same significance or moral force as a joint resolution passed by both houses of Congress and signed by the president in a Rose Garden ceremony,” Swain said.
For the past four years, Swain has been calling on Congress to pass a joint resolution apologizing for slavery and its aftermath. Swain has just re-issued a letter that she sent to then-President Bush last year asking him to take leadership for the initiative. To read the letter, visit http://www.carolmswain.com. Swain can be reached for interviews at carol.swain@vanderbilt.edu.
Media contact: Ann Marie Deer Owens, 615-322-NEWS
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