Acceptance
of Apology for Slavery
Mr. Adovelande, as you speak on behalf of the President of your country;
President Mathieu Kerekou and as you represent the people of the Republic
of Benin in West Africa, we feel honored today because you have openly
acknowledged before the world, your share of responsibility in the inhumane
act of slave trading and the misery and death brought upon our forefathers
because of it. This apology today is made specifically to African-Americans
and the descendants of AfricaTown, and it is made directly to the direct
descendants of the Clotilda. We know that the last known ship to sail
from your country coming to America left the Port of Ouidah, Benin in
West Africa. Its cargo was Africans. Its destination was America. Its
intent was slavery.
I am a direct descendant of the Clotilda; that last known ship of Africans
to arrive in America for the purpose of slavery. My great grandfather,
Polee Allen was on that ship. The Clotilda landed in Mobile, Alabama’s
Chickasabogue Creek in 1859, in spite of the fact that slavery had been
legally abolished since 1808.
As I stand before you today and hear the words of a contrite heart from
the motherland, I not only represent the direct descendants of the Clotilda
but I represent all Americans of African heritage.
Mr. Adovelande, we applaud your acknowledgement of your country’s
share of responsibility in the inhumane manner in which our forefathers
were treated. Even today, in this 21st century, we still bear and endure
many of the scars of that oppression. We are indeed a phenomenal people.
And, we assure you that your courage and repentance leaves an indelible
mark on our hearts and we do hereby warmly and graciously accept your
apology as the thread that binds and unite us.
Your noble act will tug at the heartstrings of African Americans now
and in generations to come. I, therefore, consider it not only a duty,
but, an awesome responsibility for African Americans to embrace the
spirit of forgiveness as you so humbly seek and open the doors of reconciliation
with healing and heartfelt love between us now and forever. Thank you.
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