Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Florida Apology
TALLAHASSEE - More than 140 years after slavery thrived in Florida, somelawmakers from both parties believe now is time for the state Legislature toapologize. Democratic Sen. Tony Hill, working since last year with Republican SenatePresident Ken Pruitt, will propose a resolution in which the Legislatureformally apologizes for the history of slavery in this state. "Black folks have come so far in this country, to come from slavery to aDemocratic nominee for president," said Sen. Gary Siplin, D-Orlando. Hefiled legislation seeking a similar apology but vowed to work for Hill'sversion. "This apology is the right thing to do." Exact language isn't yet available, and it's not clear if the Houseleadership will sign on to the plan. But Pruitt's spokeswoman confirmed his interest, and House Speaker MarcoRubio said he generally supports the idea. "Expressions of regret are symbolic, but they are important," Rubio said. Whether the proposal will encounter opposition is unclear. None has emergedso far, and politically it's not necessarily prudent to oppose such ameasure. The proposal echoes similar moves by other states, including New Jersey,Alabama, North Carolina and Virginia. The New Jersey Assembly in Januarypassed a resolution expressing "profound regret" for the state's role inslavery. Hill's resolution would be the first of its kind in Florida, and the factthat Pruitt has been involved could boost its chances of passing. Hill, a union organizer from Jacksonville, said he was inspired to push thematter in part by the 2006 film Amazing Grace. The movie is based on thelife of William Wilberforce, who fought in the British Parliament to end theslave trade in the British Empire. Hill said he and Pruitt, who works in real estate in Port St. Lucie, havediscussed the film, which Hill called moving. Slavery in Florida dates back to the late 1500s, when the Spanish usedslaves to build forts. Centuries later, slave use moved to the state'sagriculture economy. The British imported slaves to Florida between 1763 and 1783, and thecoastline was a popular dock for ships carrying slaves intended for otherstates. The practice grew after Florida became a U.S. territory in the early 1800sand plantation owners from Virginia, the Carolinas and other Southern statesmoved their operations - and their slaves - to Florida's cheaper land,primarily in the Panhandle. By 1860, there were nearly 62,000 slaves - 44 percent of the statepopulation. "It's time for us to move forward," said Sen. Frederica Wilson, D-Miami, amember of the black caucus. "And the only way for us to do that is to say,'We made a mistake.' Until we do that, the racial divide in Florida remainsstrong." Hill's plan was the second race-relations issue to come to the fore as theannual legislative session opened Tuesday. Rubio, in his opening remarks, told lawmakers he wants to address "thetragic tale of what is happening to young African-American males." "It is intolerable and unacceptable that an entire segment of our populationhas come to believe that the American dream is not available to them," Rubiosaid. "And we can never be the nation God intended us to be so long as thistragedy persists." Meanwhile, House Rep. Don Brown, R-DeFuniak Springs, wants to create aConfederate flag license plate honoring "Confederate heritage." He told theSt. Petersburg Times he just wants to honor a part of history - much likehonoring Martin Luther King Jr. by naming a street after him.
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