More than once, I have seen people apologize because their ancestors were slave owners. More than once, I have had people say that anyone who’s ancestors held slaves should apologize.
Well, I have ancestors who owned slaves. Several generations of them. I used to find solace from a story that my great-great-grandfather inherited two slaves and immediately manumitted them. This supposedly made my ancestry clean. But let me tell you, his father owned a lot of slaves and did not free them. Far from it, he treated them as property. I am not proud of this at all. I find it disgusting. Just as I find myself proud of the ancestors who fought against slavery in the Civil War; with at least one of them dying for that cause; his grave is at Gettysburg.
Now it comes to the issue of apology. I cannot see it. I did nothing wrong. I do not believe in slavery. I am opposed to slavery, bigotry, racial injustice, injustice in general, and have opposed this all of my life. I have nothing to apologize for. My ancestors owned slaves. I think it is abhorrent and I would oppose it with all of my soul if it were today. But it is not today. I am not saying that we merely move on but I am saying that we need to keep our eye on the issue. Laying blame on someone for someone else’s past injustices is wrong. It would be like having to be held accountable for a parent’s criminal record. Ridiculous.
So, while I find it disgusting and troubling that I had ancestors who owned slaves, I will not apologize for it. I think, however, they are still doing so; if you know what I mean.
