In a fit of pique, a suddenly conscience-stricken U.S. Senate delivered a long overdue apology for the actions that its members took (or, more to the point, didn’t take) over 100 years ago.
Tomorrow, too late for Williams and the 4,742 others murdered by lynch mobs between 1882 and 1968, the Senate will vote on a motion apologising for the failure to enact an anti-lynching law first proposed 105 years ago.
‘The apology is long overdue,’ said Republican Senator George Allen, sponsoring the resolution with Democrat Mary Landrieu.
The Guardian has the story here.
More on the flip
Before I go any farther, let me first say that I’m overwhelmingly pleased that the patricians in the Senate acknowledged the role that their institution played in this ugly chapter in history. It’s important for the historical record, and maybe little acknowledgments like this can crack through the ahistorical “patriotism” that currently polices our discourse.
But an apology? Worthless, unless as an institution, the Senate is willing to apologize for being on the wrong side of history in any number of other occasions, but, most recently:
- (With the House) For abdicating it constitutional power to declare war to an imperial executive.
- For refusing to seriously investigate any of the serious allegations against BushCo, but most significantly for not investigating instances of torture.
- For failing to vigorously perform its oversight functions over the Executive Branch.
And really, even with those apologies, I’m not satisfied. “Whoops, we’re sorry for standing aside while allowing mobs of our fellow citizen to terrorize African-Americans. Our bad.” No, those words ring hollow after dealing with the institutional hubris and arrogance of the Senate.
Only by now taking action to redress current injustices can the Senate absolve itself of its previous inactions. Everyday, innocent Iraqis are killed for being in the wrong place at the wrong time – targeted as collaborators by their peers, viewed as potential insurgents by U.S. troops – the victims of this political violence number in the tens of thousands. And this injustice was brought on by the Bush Administration.
Lynchings and military occupations share a lethal use of force in order to assert and maintain control. Both are forms of violence for political ends. Both are forms of terrorism.
When the Senate cops to its role in the illegal occupation of Iraq, then I’ll start thinking of forgiveness. When the Senate begins to seriously discuss the timetable for a complete withdrawal of the troops and reparations, then I’ll consider the substance of their apology. And when the Senate begins holding BushCo accountable for their crimes, then I’ll be able to grudgingly accept that the Senate is entitled to some dignity.
But in the meantime, I’m left with this thought: in the time between the Senate’s initial inaction on anti-lynching legislation and the apology, the Senate roughly double in age. By that standard, the Senate should get around to issuing its apology for (and I quote) “completely fucking around” for the past 4+ years in 2213.
