Apology Lite: Truths, Doubts, and Reconciliations in the Senate's Guarded Apology for Slavery

Connecticut Law Review CONNtemplations, Vol. 42, p. 1, 2009

Thomas Jefferson School of Law Research Paper No. 1551527

12 Pages Posted: 16 Feb 2010

Date Written: February 11, 2010

Abstract

This Essay discusses the recent Senate apology for slavery, which contained an unusual disclaimer prohibiting its use in any claim for monetary reparations. The Essay discusses the role of apology within the slavery reparations debate generally and the question of whether a stand-alone apology can be a valid form of reparation. It examines the particular moral and symbolic effects of the Senate disclaimer and offers some suggestions for bolstering the apology and furthering the restorative justice goals of reparations through additional symbolic gestures, like official commemoration of Juneteenth.

Keywords: reparations, slavery, apology, restorative justice

JEL Classification: K10

Suggested Citation

Wenger, Kaimipono David, Apology Lite: Truths, Doubts, and Reconciliations in the Senate's Guarded Apology for Slavery (February 11, 2010). Connecticut Law Review CONNtemplations, Vol. 42, p. 1, 2009, Thomas Jefferson School of Law Research Paper No. 1551527, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1551527

Kaimipono David Wenger (Contact Author)

Thomas Jefferson School of Law ( email )

701 B Street
Suite 110
San Diego, CA 92101
United States
619-961-4347 (Phone)

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