Hearing held at Old Courthouse on apology for slavery in Missouri

[proud2BlibKansan]

By Tim O'Neil
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
12/12/2007

St. Louis — A formal apology by Missouri for slavery is a necessary step in overcoming social and economic inequities suffered by many of its black citizens, speakers told a special legislative committee Tuesday.

"White supremacy has had far-reaching implications on race relations up to this day," said Jamala Rogers, a veteran civil rights activist with the Organization for Black Struggle.

She was among a dozen people who spoke at the Old Courthouse downtown to the Missouri House Interim Committee on Slavery Impact.

House leaders created the committee earlier this year after legislators considered but did not enact, an apology on behalf of the state for allowing slavery prior to the end of the Civil War. The issue failed to come to a vote on the House floor.

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