Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Oh and sorry for slavery

I'd like to extend an apology to everyone for the shame of slavery. Even though the bulk of my family came to North America as New Englanders in the late 17th Century and were all abolitionists I still feel I must give an apology.

I know I've never met anyone who was a slave or a slaveowner. Even though I can't find anyone at all that endured the horrible institution I guess I should still apologize.

My Great Great Grandfather served in the Wisconsin Militia during the Civil War and I possess many of the letters he wrote to his wife. His wife by the way was also an abolitionist by the name of Sarah Jane Stowe. Yes, I'm related to Calvin Stowe the husband of Harriet Beecher-Stowe another great abolitionist.

So even though I've never been a slave owner. Even though my family had never been slave-owners. Even though my family worked very hard and sacrificed for the cause of ending slavery...I guess I must apologize still since these are the times we live in.

Don't bother to thank me though. I don't deserve thanks anymore than anyone deserves an apology in the first place.

This is a great big stupid world isn't it?

5 comments:

Esther said...

It sure is. And don't worry. I won't thank you on behalf of anyone wronged by slavery. I have never been in slavery nor am I related to anyone who has (as far as I know). So, I can't thank you. I did live in a house that was part of the underground railroad for a time.

Gino said...

i'm so sorry to hear you're sorry.
accept my apology, wiil ya?

Tracy said...

Thank you for not thanking me.

Gino - Thanks for the apology about my need to apologize. I do humbly accept your apology.

Anonymous said...

All my Republican friends are AGAINST abolition. Unfortunately, it's because they think abolition is when you terminate a pregnancy.

And I'm sorry about them.

Anonymous said...

Now I feel guilty because I didn't even have family involved in abolition- We didn't come over here until the 20th century. I guess I'm sorry we weren't involved in any way. White guilt sucks.