Virginia and slavery

Yesterday, the Virginia legislature met specially to pass a resolution in which the state formally apologizes for its role in slavery. It claims that the apology is the first of its kind, and also expresses regret about the Native Americans, and how they were treated in our countries yester-years.

Whilst the sentiment seems nice and fills all of our hearts with a shinny light, I find this type of gesture to be pointless and politically motivated. What difference does the opinion of 136 lawmakers about the history of their state matter to anyone? Sure, the gesture might be appreciated by some, but to what avail? Will it change the fact that slavery did happen? No. Will it change the fact that a large section of this country was built, and allowed to thrive, using slave labor? No.

The fact of the matter is nothing will. There is no point passing empty measures like this whilst real problems could be worked on in the time it takes for things like this resolution to be passed. This is a perfect example of how ballooned and bogged down this political system is. Instead of working toward making an actual, physical difference, these lawmakers instead are now able to have quotes about there actions like this:

This session will be remembered for a lot of things, but 20 years hence I suspect one of those things will be the fact that we came together and passed this resolution," - Delegate A. Donald McEachin

What if in 20 years, we were able to look back and see how the Virginia legislature made a difference in the urban areas of Norfolk? Or a difference in financing a public education that is worthy of America?