Now, I know not every Southerner today shares my feelings. If they didn't commit them, many don't think they need to take any ownership in the sins of the past and that's fine. Slavery, racial segregation and discrimination were and are wrong. Even though these once accepted institutions have been declared illegal our country has never truly apologized for them. Race relations in America have certainly come a long way, but there is still far to go.
Discrimination exists in a subtler, yet no less harmful, form.
The wounds of oppression, anger and hurt are still open. I believe race relations have hit a plateau and will remain there until we as a country atone for our mistakes. The United States needs to publicly recognize that slavery, segregation and discrimination are immoral and inhumane acts and apologize for participating in them. Only when this has happened will we be able to move forward and take another step toward racial harmony. There are some people, black and white, who don't believe an apology is enough to bridge the racial divide.