When Will the American Apology Tour End?

President Obama travels the world and apologizes on behalf of Americans who he sees as the oppressors.

Last week a bipartisan resolution passed by the U.S. Senate and co-sponsored by our own Senator Sam Brownback, whom I have great respect for, provides an apology for the enslavement and racial segregation of African-Americans. The measure comes as the nation celebrates Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery. The other co-sponsor was Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA). The resolution states, “numerous states and even corporations such as J.P. Morgan and Aetna have apologized for their role in slavery and Jim Crow. But slavery and Jim Crow, and their continuing consequences are not the historical baggage of one state, one region, or one company. They are an enduring national shame,” said Senator Harkin.

There has been a continued apology tour that started in 1988 when Congress apologized for the internment of Japanese Americans held during WWII. In 1993, Congress apologized to native Hawaiians for overthrowing their king. In 2005, the Senate apologized for its failure to enact anti-lynching legislation. Last year, the Senate adopted as part of the Indian Health Bill an amendment apologizing to Native Americans.

In my own family history my Scots-Irish Ancestors were forced-worked on the American railroad system and at the end of the day they were not allowed in an “American” restaurant to eat. Why? Because they spoke funny, were foreign, and were Catholic. Remember 1862 song, "No Irish Need Apply?”

What about my German blood? During WWII, the US Government interned at least 11,000 persons of German ancestry. The Japanese Americans got an apology but not my German-American ancestors.

My Catholic ancestors owned 200 acres of land in Maryland, which was very close to the current US Capitol and had their land seized by the Puritan Commonwealth Government in a Catholic Purge. In addition, they could no longer practice their religion and priests had to hide in order to offer Mass. The purge was so bad that my ancestors fled to Kentucky to start anew. I realize that this occurred prior to the formation of the United States but where is my British Apology?

My Cherokee Indian Ancestors were enslaved and arrested and forced marched out of their homeland of Kentucky.

While apologies and forgiveness is necessary to cleanse the soul, it is time to move forward.

I claim no excuse for the person that I have become. I am thankful for the sacrifices of my ancestors so that I can live in the free United States of America. Those ancestors lived and died so that I might succeed. Soldiers of every race and denomination fought and died for this country so that I could have freedom.

I am a Scots-Irish, German, Cherokee Indian, Catholic American. And I am proud of my family, my heritage and my beloved Country. On behalf of my ancestors I ask for no apology from my government!