U.S. Congress Apologises for Slavery

This Day (Lagos)
Africa: U..S. Congress Apologises for Slavery
Constance Ikokwu

20 June 2009
http://allafrica.com/stories/200906200007.html

Washington, D.c. — The United States Congress has for the first time in its 230-year history issued a formal apology for slavery and segregation, describing the dark period of that country as inhuman.

The apology issued by Senators on Capitol Hill on Thursday, however, did not agree to the payment of reparations, but it condemned centuries of injustice caused by slavery.

In a strongly worded document, the Congress unanimously voted to acknowledge the "fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality and inhumanity of slavery and Jim Crow laws."

It stated that the US Congress "apologises on behalf of the people of the United States for the wrongs committed against them and their ancestors who suffered under slavery and Jim Crow laws."

According to Wikipedia, Jim Crow laws were local and state laws enacted between 1876 and 1965 in the US, mandating segregation in all public facilities, with a supposedly "equal but separate" status for black Americans.

If the House of Repres-entatives pass a similar measure as expected next week, it will mark the highest effort to apologise for the wrongs of the past.

A similar effort failed to make it to the Senate in 2008 after it was passed in the lower chamber.

The resolution affirmed the "principle that all people are created equal and endowed with inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and calls on all people of the United States to work towards eliminating racial prejudices, injustices and discrimination from our society."

Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid, was quoted as saying that "no one pretends that a mere apology or any words can right the wrongs of the past, but it represents our recognition of the past and our commitment to fully live up to our nation's promise."

The sponsor of the resolution, Senator Tom Harkin noted that slavery "is an enduring national shame" for the country.

He added: "slavery and Jim Crow and their continuing consequences are not the historical baggage of one state, one region or one company."

Harkin said the resolution was long over due. He warned that more work lies ahead as the latest move would not wipe out all injustices automatically.

Reacting, some African-Americans said the apology was not enough but is a first step.

Former President Bill Clinton while in office had expressed regret for the act while George W. Bush described it as "one of the greatest crimes of history. But they stopped short of a proper apology.

Some states in the country have also previously adopted resolutions expressing regret for slavery, but no formal bill at the national level was officially passed.

Jim Crow laws were enshrined in the US Constitution to segregate blacks and whites.

The resolution also fell on June 19, being the celebration of the freedom of African-Americans at the end of the Civil War in 1865.

A ceremony to mark the passage of the new resolution is expected next month.

Racial Discrimination at World Bank?

Report Details Racial Discrimination at World Bank

Published on Jun 9, 2009 - 9:35:50 AM

By: Government Accountability Project
http://yubanet.com/usa/Report-Details-Racial-Discrimination-at-World-Bank.php

WASHINGTON, D.C. June 9, 2009 - Today, the Government Accountability Project (GAP) released a report that investigates and finds evidence of racial discrimination against black professional grade employees at the World Bank. The report, which documents the treatment of these employees in recruitment, retention and internal judicial decisions, finds that a race ceiling exists at the institution, and that the Bank's legal system fails to address racial discrimination adequately. Read further....

http://whistleblower.org/doc/2009/RDWB.pdf

OBAMA CAIRO, EGYPT SPEECH IN FULL.

CULTURAL DIFFERENCES

Never touch the head of a Thai or pass an object over it – the head is considered sacred in Thailand

Direct eye contact signifies a lack of respect in China, in the USA it signifies directness and friendship.

Avoid using triangular shapes in Hong Kong, Korea and Taiwan – the triangle is considered a negative shape

A 'thumbs up' in the UK means things are great, in Spain its a sign of displeasure.

The number 7 is considered bad luck in Kenya and good luck in the Czech Republic. It has a magical connotation in Benin, Africa

The number 10 is bad luck in Korea

The number 4 means death in Japan

Red represents witchcraft and death in many African countries but it is a positive colour in Denmark

Culture , Corruption and Bribery

"Today the US government is the only one in the world which legislates heavy penalties- fines and prison sentences- for any of its citizens caught bribing overseas officials, In contrast, many European countries not only condone such payments, they permit their companies to claim foreign bribes as a tax deduction.

Nevertheless, business people of any nationality have good reasons for avoiding the bribery trap:" ethics, Corporate ethics, expense, Local law.

Richard R. Gesteland, 2001, Cross Cultural Business Behaviour; marketing, negotiating and managing across cultures, 2^nd ed., Copenhagen: Copenhagen Bus. Sch. Press.
p. 91.