House apologizes to blacks for slavery, Jim Crow segregation

Washington Post

WASHINGTON — The House apologized to black Americans on Tuesday, more than 140 years after slavery was abolished, for the “fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality and inhumanity of slavery and Jim Crow” segregation.

The resolution, which passed on a voice vote late in the day, was sponsored by Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., a white Jewish lawmaker who represents a majority-black district in Memphis. Cohen tried unsuccessfully to join the Congressional Black Caucus this year.

“I hope that this is part of the beginning of a dialogue that this country needs to engage in, concerning what the effects of slavery and Jim Crow have been,” Cohen said. “I think we started it and we’re going to continue.”

Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, is considering introducing a companion measure in the Senate, he said.

Cohen faces a tough fight against airline lawyer Nikki Tinker, who is black, in the Democratic primary Aug. 7.