University apologizes for using slaves to build school

[ZeoBandit]

University apologizes for using slaves to build school
POSTED: 7:15 p.m. EDT, April 25, 2007

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia (AP) -- The University of Virginia's board marked founder Thomas Jefferson's birthday with an apology for the school's use of slave labor between 1819 and 1865.

The board of visitors unanimously passed an apology resolution on April 13, the 264th anniversary of Jefferson's birth, but did not announce the action until Tuesday.

The measure was inspired by the Virginia Legislature, which passed a resolution in February expressing its "profound regret" for the state's role in slavery. Legislatures in Maryland and North Carolina approved similar slavery apologies this year, and another measure is under consideration in Alabama.

Slaves in Virginia helped build some of the first buildings at University of Virginia, which opened in 1825, and the university continued to use slave labor for four decades after that.

"The board expresses its particular regret for the employment of enslaved persons in these years," the resolution reads. It says "the notion of involuntary servitude is repugnant and incompatible with the ideals upon which this university was founded."

The resolution declares that the board is recommitting itself to the principle of equality.

"It is very important to us ... not just to look back but recognize the commitment of the administration that all types of people are treated fairly for now and in the future," said university Rector Thomas F. Farrell II.

Nine percent of the university's undergraduate students are black, according to university spokeswoman Carol Wood.

[Ace Ventura]

Let me guess what happens next..... The families of these people file a class-action lawsuit against the school for "emotional distress"?

Was it a part of this country's ugly past? Yes. But guess what? It's in the fucking PAST and cannot be changed! I'm quite certain that this school, or any other building in any major city for that matter, was built using some sort of slave labor...

[Bullwinkle]

My ancestors were all abolitionists and fought for the Yankees in the Civil War so I generally bypass topics like this.
But, I was wondering what a black person is supposed to say when someone apologizes for slavery.
"Gee, I'm sure sorry I destroyed your ancient and noble culture by kidnapping your great-great-great-great grandparents and forcing them into slavery."


Maybe they could say something like this:

"No problem. I'm sure you won't mind if I borrow your daughter for a generation or two."

or

"I'm glad you brought this up. I've prepared an invoice for 175 trillion dolllars. I think that ought to cover it. If you pay up before the end of the week I won't include any late fees."

or

"Oh, that old thing? Don't give it a second thought. Now, go fuck yourself."

[wham bam will rock]

Too bad no one who actually helped build the school is alive to hear the apology.

[Interceptor]

Too bad no one who actually helped build the school is alive to hear the apology.

Exactly, and too bad also that the apology had to come after all of these years and generations later by people that had absolutely nothing to do with what occured almost a couple of centuries ago. Good to reflect IMO, yes, just too bad it wasn't recognized sooner. A lot sooner

[G3fan]

Exactly, and too bad also that the apology had to come after all of these years and generations later by people that had absolutely nothing to do with what occured almost a couple of centuries ago. Good to reflect IMO, yes, just too bad it wasn't recognized sooner. A lot sooner

Surprising they didn't do it in February. Black History Month

Was Al Sharpton or "Rev." Jess Jackson there?

God help us.............

[sisca]

hey, maybe they should urge the president of egypt to issue an apology for the pharaohs using slaves to build the pyramids.

ridiculous.

[JasonG5150]

My ancestors were all abolitionists and fought for the Yankees in the Civil War so I generally bypass topics like this.
But, I was wondering what a black person is supposed to say when someone apologizes for slavery.
"Gee, I'm sure sorry I destroyed your ancient and noble culture by kidnapping your great-great-great-great grandparents and forcing them into slavery."


Maybe they could say something like this:

"No problem. I'm sure you won't mind if I borrow your daughter for a generation or two."

or

"I'm glad you brought this up. I've prepared an invoice for 175 trillion dolllars. I think that ought to cover it. If you pay up before the end of the week I won't include any late fees."

or

"Oh, that old thing? Don't give it a second thought. Now, go fuck yourself."

actually we didn't kidnap anyone. Tribes in Africa would fight and whoever won would take the other tribe as prisoner, then sell them to the highest bidder.

Wise up.

[Axxman300]

I don't have any problem with an apology.