An Appalling Idiocy: A Slave Memorial

www.CapitalismMagazine.com ^ | May 28, 2003 | Thomas Sowell

[Tailgunner Joe]

With the passing years, it becomes ever more painful for me to read the preambles of legislation. Time and time again, the wonderful and inspiring words in those preambles have turned out to have no relationship whatsoever to the actual consequences that followed. The real issue is not what pious words you can come up with, but what incentives are you creating and what are the likely consequences of those incentives.

It is especially painful to read a proposal to create a "National Slave Memorial" on the Washington Mall. Supposedly this memorial will promote "reconciliation" and "healing," according to both the Republican and Democratic supporters of this proposal.

It is hard to imagine that any sane adult actually believes those words. You know and I know that a slave memorial will not reconcile anybody to anybody nor heal any racial divisions. Just the opposite.

A slave memorial is guaranteed to become a magnet for every race hustler from Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton down to any local demagogue who can scare up a crowd to go stand in front of the slave memorial and spew venom at American society on TV. Some reconciliation, some healing!

As for whites, when a proposal was made some years ago by Congressman Tony Hall for a Congressional apology for slavery, so much hostile mail came in that the idea was killed. If a slave memorial is going to inflame both blacks and whites, who is going to be "healed" or "reconciled"?

Anyone whose IQ is not in single digits must know that, once a slave memorial is put on the Washington Mall, it will be politically impossible to remove it. Expediency-minded politicians of both parties may think of a slavery memorial as a cheap way to "throw a bone" to the black community, as someone put it, but it is in fact just a down payment on racial polarization that can cost this country dearly for years to come.

This proposal has bipartisan support in Congress -- as so many other disastrous policies have had. If the Democrats were to propose that all Americans leap off a thousand-foot cliff, moderate Republicans would come up with a compromise proposal that three-quarters of us leap off a 500-foot cliff. The slave memorial is apparently that kind of compromise proposal -- "reparations light," as it were.

None of this is affected in the slightest by whether the sponsors of this legislation are honest and earnest, or by whether their intentions are good or they write an inspiring preamble to the legislation. We all know what road is paved with good intentions. We don't need to have it proven one more time.

This is the kind of low-budget time bomb that can easily sneak into legislation in the last days before Congress adjourns, when everyone is too busy preparing to go home to read all the provisions of the bills they vote on.

The only way to prevent this from happening, either this year or in future years, is for the voting public to inform their Senators and Representatives loud and clear that they do not want any such memorial created by the federal government, whether on the Washington Mall or anywhere else.

Among the pious cant that we are being fed by those pushing this proposal is that a memorial will serve to remind future Americans that slavery was cruel and evil. Most Americans understood that in the 19th century!

What a memorial would do is perpetuate the fraud that slavery was something peculiar to the United States, when in fact it was one of the oldest and most widespread of all human institutions, existing for thousands of years on every inhabited continent, involving people of every race and color as both slaves and slaveowners. Even in the United States, there were thousands of black slaveowners, and in Africa many more.

The United States was one of many Western nations which turned against slavery in the 19th century -- while non-Western nations bitterly resisted efforts by the West to get them to abolish slavery. Only the fact that Western imperialists had more firepower enabled their revulsion against slavery to prevail.

Maybe we should have a monument to historical truth somewhere, though Washington hardly seems the place for it.

[wardaddy]

Sowell is a good man.

[wardaddy]

Take a 3 hour drive south and I'll pop a La Gloria Cubana in your gator...we'll give that patch a little kicker.

But be warned...you'll have to enter into my foyer under Old Glory and The Bonnie Blue.

Bet you could do that for about a nicely aged La Gloria double corona....or maybe a nice fat Bolivar courtesy of that pig Castro (yes I'm weak too).

Just think....that wonderful pungent blue smoke rolling around in your mouth and nostrils...

Did I mention the 1987 Lynch-Bages in the cellar....

Hell...a few days with me and you'd head back up I-65 with a Bonnie Blue front plate on yer ride just like me...lol

[WaterDragon]

Very, very nice letter. But my question is why any monument to slavery?

I would prefer a museum depicting the history of slavery, showing its beginnings as we understand them, how common and acceptable it was through the centuries, how people coped with slavery, how the presence of slaves affected the different cultures (some slaves rose to considerable power through ability), what incited slave uprisings and the consequences (sometimes they were good), etc, etc.

A shining part of the museum should be the decision of England to outlaw slavery -- a first in the entire history of mankind --, how she came to make that decision and how she about doing it, etc; when and why did other nations then outlaw slavery; which nations continued to practice slavery (which ones do today); the attitude of international organizations toward slavery -- in the past and contemporary ones.

If it's done well, vistors to such a museum would come to understand what slavery was all about, how overwhelming it was, how people persisted in trying to escaping slavery (it was never, ultimately, benign). Visitors could develop a whole new understanding of the hunger of ALL humans for liberty and dignity.

An important part of such a museum would be consideration of the enslavement of entire nations. Sparta, in ancient Greece did that, brutally put the Messenes to work on plantations so that Sparta could devote herself to war.

Communism enslaves its own people. That needs to be shown clearly.

This idea won't be popular with the race-baiters because such a museum would promote knowledge and real understanding, instead of providing a catalyst for blackmail and racial division.

But I love the idea for such a museum, and would take my family to it often.

[Bonaparte]

"Whose proposal is it?"

The usual suspects.

Bill Page

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108th CONGRESS 1st Session

H. R. 196

To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to establish a memorial to slavery, in the District of Columbia.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 7, 2003

Mr. STEARNS (for himself, Mr. CUMMINGS, Mr. QUINN, and Mr. MORAN of Virginia) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Resources

---

A BILL

To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to establish a memorial to slavery, in the District of Columbia.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `National Slave Memorial Act'.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

The Congress finds the following:

(1) Millions of Africans and their descendants were enslaved in the United States and the 13 American colonies in the period 1619 through 1865.

(2) The American Colonies determined that economic benefit would be derived from the import of slave labor and forthwith became an active participant in the `Middle Passage' of African slaves to its shores.

(3) Upon their arrival in North America, Africans were considered chattel and thereby denied the privileges granted to other immigrants.

(4) The agricultural resources of any nation are the backbone of its subsistence and for over 250 years, millions of unnamed African and American-born Black men, women, and children provided the free labor that cultivated the fields from which Americans ate and were clothed, which allowed the dominant population to secure other interests.

(5) Slavery was a grave injustice that caused African Americans to suffer enormous damages and losses, both material and intangible, including the loss of human dignity and liberty, the frustration of careers and professional lives, and the long-term loss of income and opportunity.

(6) Slavery in the United States denied African Americans the fruits of their own labor and was an immoral and inhumane deprivation of life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, citizenship rights, and cultural heritage.

(7) Although the achievements of African Americans in overcoming the evils of slavery stand as a source of tremendous inspiration, the successes of slaves and their descendants do not overwrite the failure of the Nation to grant all Americans their birthright of equality and the civil rights that safeguard freedom.

(8) Many African American slaves fought as valiant patriots in the wars that helped to preserve our national freedoms, knowing they would never be privileged to partake of the freedoms for which they fought.

(9) African American art, history, and culture reflect experiences of slavery and freedom, and continued struggles for full recognition of citizenship and treatment with human dignity, and there is inadequate presentation, preservation, and recognition of the contributions of African Americans within American society.

(10) There is a great need for building institutions and monuments to promote cultural understanding of African American heritage and further enhance racial harmony.

(11) It is proper and timely for the Congress to recognize June 19, 1865, the historic day when the last group of slaves were informed of their freedom, to acknowledge the historic significance of the abolition of slavery, to express deep regret to African Americans, and to support reconciliation efforts.

SEC. 3. NATIONAL SLAVE MEMORIAL.

(a) IN GENERAL- The National Foundation for African American Heritage (in this Act referred to as the `Foundation'), in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, is authorized to establish, in the District of Columbia, a memorial to slavery--

(1) to acknowledge the fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality, and inhumanity of slavery in the United States and the 13 American Colonies; and

(2) to honor the nameless and forgotten men, women, and children who have gone unrecognized for their undeniable and weighty contribution to the United States.

(b) LOCATION-

(1) IN GENERAL- The memorial shall be situated in a location that is--

(A) within the area that is referred to in the Commemorative Works Act (40 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) as Area 1 and in proximity to the Lincoln Memorial; and

(B) recommended by the Secretary of the Interior and the National Capital Memorial Commission not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act.

(2) COMPLIANCE WITH COMMEMORATIVE WORKS ACT- This Act shall be treated as satisfying the authorization and location approval requirements of section 6 of the Commemorative Works Act (40 U.S.C. 1006).

(c) DESIGN- The Foundation, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, and the National Capital Memorial Commission shall--

(1) not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, begin soliciting proposals for the design of the memorial from architects; and

(2) not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, select a design for the memorial from the proposals submitted to the Secretary.

(d) FUNDING-

(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of the Interior, in coordination with the Director of the Smithsonian Institution, may accept donations of any necessary funds from the Foundation and other private sector sources to design, construct, and maintain the memorial.

(2) ACCOUNT IN TREASURY- The Secretary shall deposit amounts that are accepted under this subsection into a separate account in the Treasury established for such purpose. Amounts deposited into the account shall be available for expenditure by the Secretary without further appropriation to carry out this Act.

SEC. 4. REPORTS.

(a) PERIODIC REPORTS- Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, and each 6 months thereafter until the submission of a final report under subsection (b), the Secretary of the Interior shall transmit to the Congress a report on activities with regard to the memorial.

(b) FINAL REPORT- Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall transmit to the Congress a final report on activities with regard to the memorial, including the recommended design of the memorial.

SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

(a) IN GENERAL- Subject to subsection (b), there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior such sums as may be necessary for carrying out this Act.

(b) LIMITATION- No sums may be appropriated to the Secretary for the construction of the memorial unless at least one-half of the estimated total cost of the construction of the memorial is donated from private sources pursuant to section 3(d).

END

[dagnabbit]

As long as it's adjacent to the "Victims of Urban Crime Memorial"

[weegee]

How about a memorial to the American taxpayer? We foot the bill after all...

[visualops]

This is just the tip of the iceberg if you read it.
Much of the language and statements open the door wide to a Pandora's Box of ill-founded, ill-advised action.
What strikes me as well, is the attitude that Americans don't already know all this. Why, when so many are fighting to erase the line between Black and White, do some keep drawing it back, painting it wider? I know it hurts if I stick myself with a sharp object. But I am not going to keep doing it so I don't forget what it feels like.

You tell me where terminology like this can lead:
the frustration of careers and professional lives, and the long-term loss of income and opportunity
failure of the Nation to grant all Americans their birthright of equality and the civil rights that safeguard freedom
continued struggles for full recognition of citizenship
There is a great need for building institutions and monuments
to express deep regret to African Americans, and to support reconciliation efforts

Looks like a monument to the perpetuation and profiteering of White Guilt. This is a precursor to more laws and "acts" in the name of "reconciliation", that lead to the big ticket goal of reparations.

[drlevy88]

shoot they should just go ahead and create a prototype 'memorial'. a humongous statue of a black slave picking cotton, with a glowering simon legree figure standing over him with a whip. the black uproar about this would make "deafening" an understatement.

[drlevy88]

the black uproar about this would make "deafening" an understatement. (and it would kill the idea forever...)

[azhenfud]

"There are some spooky folks here that do it. I know people who got out because of it."

Some of the hostilities you find are generated in response to the attacks on ancestors by those attempting to portray them as characters they never were. Those attempting to do so are seeing they galvanize resistance against their attempt to bring dishonor to the dead, free and slave - black and white alike.

BTW, is there a Confederate memorial on the Washington Mall grounds?

[stainlessbanner]

What a great letter - you nailed it. You have a way with words.

[4CJ]

I feel it is not well thought-out, and would be a magnet for the roadshows of the poverty pimps of America. It would provide a ready-made instant bully pulpit for every would-be race warlord who wanted to rouse the rabble of the masses. It would create the ultimate spot for a photo op for charlatans and snake oil peddlers everywhere.

Kudos to you sir. I stand in awe ...

[4CJ]

He must not realize, that it is OUR side that does honor the rebel and the slave. Equally. Regardless of socio-economic status, skin colour etc" - we honour ALL that served the Confederacy. Whether they were soldiers, cooks, blacksmiths, scouts, officers or enlisted, or even those that remained home - faithfully protecting their families, both black and white, in the absence of their fighting men.
We honour our own.

[WhiskeyPapa]

This column appeared in today's Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Walt

[Non-Sequitur]

So we'll put you down as 'undecided'?

[Moby Grape]

Well said, as usual. Thank you for your leadership.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Just think....that wonderful pungent blue smoke rolling around in your mouth and nostrils...

[wistful sigh]

Cruel and heartless you are, LOL. I'd hoped to be one of those who would quit and find himself repulsed at the thought of smoke. Alas, it is untrue. I won't be able to go to a bar and have a beer without having Nicorette closeby.

[Darnright]

"If it's done well, vistors to such a museum would come to understand what slavery was all about, how overwhelming it was, how people persisted in trying to escaping slavery (it was never, ultimately, benign). Visitors could develop a whole new understanding of the hunger of ALL humans for liberty and dignity."

You are definitely on the right track. When I read this thread, I thought a monument to the restoration of Civil Rights and to freedom for all Americans would be a far more positive use for taxpayer monies, rather than erecting an alter for the worship of victimization.

[Constitution Day]

Some people really are masters at sOPHistry on this issue.

[mhking]

I would prefer a museum depicting the history of slavery, showing its beginnings as we understand them, how common and acceptable it was through the centuries, how people coped with slavery, how the presence of slaves affected the different cultures (some slaves rose to considerable power through ability), what incited slave uprisings and the consequences (sometimes they were good), etc, etc.

You get no argument from me on that - several years ago, a traveling exhibit on slavery came through Atlanta. Our children were not quite old enough to understand what we saw as we walked through the museum exhibit, but my wife and I were certainly moved.

A museum would provide the opportunity to create explanations of the history of slavery going all the way back to Biblical times, and look at other cultures around the world and how they have treated slaves and slavery throughout history.

Of course, this would dilute any gains that the "soul patrol" would be able to glean from it. But the knowledge presented would be able to help all. Such a museum would be more of a cultural magnet for all people of all races - perhaps an adjunct to the Smithsonian to human culture with permanent exhibits on American slavery, the Civil War, the Revolution and Civil Rights era America. Add to that continual temp exhibits on various cultures around the world - and not any of this neo-politically correct claptrap. Bring forth the truth - good and bad - about the cultures in question. The Smithsonian is certainly up to the task.

It is certainly a much better option than trying to focus solely on black culture. I told my wife last night, that this goes back to the mistake that was made when the Holocaust Museum was pushed forth in DC. It opens Pandora's box and makes it very hard to close it back.

A museum devoted to the black experience in perhaps Memphis or Atlanta or New York or even a different part of Washington would certainly be in order. There is certainly enough in terms of historical references and resources to put forth such a venture. But the National Mall is not the place for it.

And contrary to popular belief, the National Mall is for those institutions that affect ALL people - not just a small segment.